President Bola Tinubu has sent his condolences to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) over the death of a former Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase (CFR) at Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja on Sunday August 31st, stating his experience and contributions as well as his reforms in the Force, will be deeply missed by Nigeria.
In a statement issued by the Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga also commiserates with the family, friends and associates of the highly resourceful officer during his tenure as IGP and later as Chairman of the Police Service Commission that brought lasting changes to the Police Force.
He recalled that the retirement of the 18th indigenous Inspector-General of Police (IGP), who died at 69, after a brief illness, Arase, continued to serve the nation in various public roles, including as Chairman of the Police Service Commission and as head of the Task Force on implementing the Edo State Anti-Community Development Association Law.
The statement prayed for the “peaceful repose of the soul of this dedicated security expert, whose experience and contributions will be deeply missed by our nation”.
Reflecting on Arase’s laudable service to the Country, President Tinubu remarks, “Arase served the police force meritoriously from 1981 to 2016.
“During his career, he led tactical, operational, and intelligence units, including United Nations Peacekeeping in Namibia, the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, and the Principal Staff Officer to three IGPs”, he said.
The statement also said, “The President acknowledges the dedication of the former IGP to enhancing security in the Country, through initiatives such as the Intelligence Response Team, the Complaint Response Unit, and Safer Highway Patrols.
Arase was Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB), and Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department.
He further recalled that “His expertise extended to consultancy roles with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the European Centre for Electoral Support, the Human Rights Centre at the University of Oslo, and as a member of the Committee on Prevention of Torture in Geneva, Switzerland”.
