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)
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