Tag: Solomon Arase

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Ex-IG, Solomon Arase, buried in Benin

The remains of former Inspector General of Police, Dr. Solomon Arase, has been interred in Benin City, capital of Edo State.

Arase was buried at a private ceremony witnessed by family members and close associates after a funeral mass was held at the St. Paul Catholic Church.

In his homily during the requiem mass, Reverend Father Andrew Obiyan, urged the congregation to work towards making heaven after death.

Obiyan said people would want to go everywhere on earth but refused to go to the House of God.

He expressed disappointment at the attitude of some humans towards donating for the work of God.

According to him, “Our own life is in heaven. We must never be distracted. We now see old age creeping into our lives daily powerfully. It crept in to remind us of immortality. We study so hard to receive so many titles. At death, those titles mean nothing to God. The only title that means so much is a grace of battle. 

“We have the assurance that Arase will reap the fruit of baptism in the presence of the eternal King.

“Sometimes we go everywhere but we don’t want to go to the House of God except when we want to please people. We do not want not to come to the House of God.

“Late Arase feared and loved God. Policing is a profession with risk. We see soaring crime rate yet many police officers are exemplary.

“We give glory to God for Arase’s getting to the peak of his career. The Lord does not take from you what he cannot give.”

Also speaking, Governor of Bayelsa State, Duoye Diri, said the late Arase was of great service to the nation. 

“Moments like this are for us to know that one day we will lie down like this. We should be humble to serve our state and country to the best of our ability. All about him are great and good testament. From his professionalism and service to the country, his relationship with the rest of society marked his humility and spreading love everywhere he goes.”

Dignitaries at the event were Governor Monday Okpebholo represented by his Deputy, Dennis Idahosa; former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, represented by Chief Oseni Elamah and Chief Uso Osaretin, the Usoh of Benin Kingdom; FRSC Zone 5 Commander, Stella Orakwe; Secretary to the Police Service Commission, Onyeabuchi Nnamani; Senator Neda Imasuen, amongst others. (ThisDay)

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Police flag flies at half-mast as Force HQ mourns Arase

The Nigeria Police Force has opened a condolence register at its Force Headquarters in Abuja to honour the memory of the late Solomon Arase.

Arase, the 18th Indigenous Inspector-General of Police, passed away on August 31, at 69.

According to a statement on its X account on Monday, the current IG, Kayode Egbetokun, paid heartfelt tribute to the late police chief as senior officers and staff converged at the headquarters to sign the register and pay their respects.

“The Nigeria Police Force has opened a Condolence Register at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, for the revered former Police Chief, as senior officers and staff pay their respects.

“In honour of his memory, the Police flag will fly at half-mast in all Commands and Formations nationwide,” the statement read.

The gesture is part of a series of formal remembrances by the service following Arase’s death. (Punch)

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Ex-IG Ehindero, group eulogise late Arase

A former Inspector-General of Police, Sunday Ehindero, and the Benin Consultative Forum have paid glowing tributes to the late ex-IGP Solomon Arase, who died on Sunday in Abuja at the age of 69.

Ehindero, in a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday, described Arase as a unique Principal Staff Officer, whose exceptional qualities made him indispensable to successive police chiefs.

“There are PSOs and there are PSOs. Solomon was a unique PSO. Ordinarily, when an officer served an incumbent IG, his successor would opt for a new aide. However, Solomon was so outstanding that he served my boss, Tafa Balogun, me, and part of the tenure of Mr. Mike Okiro. He was my PSO from 2005 to 2007 when I was the IGP,” Ehindero said.

He described Arase as humble, loyal, courageous, and fair-minded, noting that his enduring legacies in policing were reflected in his writings and reforms.

“He was an impartial arbiter in matters assigned to him, a man of conviction, and an emblem of principled action. His reputation for excellence and his many publications remain testament to his impact on policing,” Ehindero added.

The former police chief also praised Arase’s role as a mentor and philanthropist, citing his generosity through the Solomon Ehigiator Arase Foundation and his de-tribalised approach to leadership.

“Solomon was a remarkable officer from Owan West in Edo State who, through his energy and effort, rose to become the 18th indigenous Inspector-General of Police. He epitomised hard work, integrity, honesty, and benevolence. We will indeed miss him in this earthly realm,” he said.

Consoling the family, Ehindero wrote: “Solomon has fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. At sunrise and sunset, we will always remember him. Adieu, my able PSO.”

Similarly, the Benin Consultative Forum described the late Arase as a towering figure who modernised the Nigerian Police Force through innovative policies and scholarship.

In a statement signed by its Vice President, Samson Osagie, and Secretary-General, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, the group said Arase was “an acknowledged intelligence cop within the global security network” whose contributions extended beyond policing to law enforcement reforms and internal security scholarship.

“His life of service also included scholarly enterprise as he strove to put his years of experience in the security and civil relations sectors to the benefit of society with his books, which bore prescriptions of how to advance Nigeria’s internal security and electoral management,” the statement read.

The group noted that Arase’s membership of the Body of Benchers confirmed his unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, the rule of law and service to humanity.

Until his death, Arase was the immediate past Chairman of the Police Service Commission, where he introduced fresh ideas into police management. He served as the 18th Inspector-General of Police and was widely celebrated for his role in modernising the force. (Punch)