Nigeria Loses one of its most reform-driven police chiefs, Solomon Arase, who passed away on Sunday, August 31, at the age of 69 in Abuja.
Arase, the nation’s 18th indigenous Inspector-General of Police and a former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, was widely celebrated for championing reforms that sought to restore public trust in law enforcement.
Among his legacies was the creation of the Complaint Response Unit, designed to strengthen police accountability and protect citizens’ rights.
Until his death, Arase remained an influential voice in security sector reforms, extending his impact through the Solomon Ehigiator Arase Foundation, which provided scholarships for children of fallen police officers and disadvantaged youths.
Security analysts describe his passing as “a huge loss to ongoing police reforms,” noting that his tenure was marked by a rare blend of professionalism, courage, and focus on human rights.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who led a condolence visit to the family, said Arase’s “visionary leadership left indelible footprints in policing and national security.”
Arase, who served the Force for 35 years before retiring in 2016, was also a lawyer, scholar, and Fellow of the Defence College.
His death raises renewed questions on the sustainability of police reforms in Nigeria, a sector where his legacy is expected to continue shaping policy conversations.
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