The Nigeria Police Force has paid its last respects to the late Dr. Solomon Arase, former Inspector-General of Police, with a solemn Guard of Honour Parade at the NPF Hangar, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, led the ceremony in honour of the 18th indigenous IGP, describing Arase as one of the finest officers to ever serve the Force and the country. He praised Arase’s decades of service, noting that his legacy will endure long after his passing.
“This is our last salute to a man who dedicated his life to public service through his outstanding career in the Nigeria Police Force. We are not only mourning his loss today, we are also celebrating the legacy he leaves behind,” Egbetokun said in his tribute.
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Arase, who was appointed Inspector-General of Police in April 2015, carved a unique record in the history of the NPF by serving as Principal Staff Officer to three consecutive Inspectors-General before rising to the top job. His leadership was marked by reforms that sought to professionalize the police, strengthen respect for the law, and introduce humane approaches to policing.
Even after leaving the Force, Arase continued to contribute to national development as Chairman of the Police Service Commission, where he championed accountability, integrity, and a renewed vision for effective policing in Nigeria.
Egbetokun emphasized that while every career must eventually come to an end, the impact of genuine service outlives the individual. On behalf of the Nigeria Police Force, he extended condolences to Arase’s family, the Police Service Commission, and the Nigerian people.
The passing of Dr. Solomon Arase has drawn tributes across the country, with many describing him as a reformer, a patriot, and a rare officer who combined discipline with empathy. His name, colleagues say, will remain etched in the annals of Nigeria’s policing history.
