Former IGP Arase Remembered as Reformer Who Redefined Nigeria Police

By Oluwakemi kindness

The late former Inspector General of Police and ex-Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Solomon Arase, has been described as an institution who embodied intellect, discipline, and humanity.

At a day of tribute held in his honour on Wednesday, Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said Arase’s journey from joining the force as a cadet in 1981 to becoming the 18th Indigenous Inspector General of Police in 2015 was “a lesson in resilience and excellence.”

Egbetokun highlighted some of Arase’s lasting legacies, including the creation of the Technical Intelligence Unit, the Intelligence Response Team, and the Complaint Response Unit—structures he noted remain cornerstones of modern policing in Nigeria.

In an emotional tribute, Arase’s daughter, Claire Adesuwa Arase, described her father as “a canopy, an Iroko tree that covered the entire family.”

She said he treated everyone with dignity and without discrimination, adding that the family finds comfort in the outpouring of goodwill since his passing.

Former Inspector General of Police, Sunday Ehindero, remembered Arase as a reformer, patriot, and quintessential officer whose tenure stood out for discipline, community engagement, and respect for the rule of law.

Another former IGP, Usman Alkali Baba, noted that even in retirement, Arase remained a mentor and adviser.

He praised him as the first senior officer to pioneer the Police Intelligence Department and urged today’s leadership to complete the reforms he began.

Collectively, the former police chiefs described Arase as a fearless, honest, and dedicated officer whose commanding presence and integrity left an enduring mark on the force and the nation.

Dr. Solomon Arase passed away recently at the age of 69.

The tribute was attended by senior government officials, lawmakers, security personnel, civil society representatives, and friends, all of whom emphasized the need to sustain his legacy for a better police and a stronger Nigeria.