A coalition of Nigerian Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and prominent individuals has expressed profound shock and deep sorrow over the sudden passing of Dr. Solomon Ehigiator Arase, the former Inspector-General of Police and immediate past Chairman of the Police Service Commission.
In a joint statement issued on Monday, September 1, 2025, the groups eulogised Arase as an exceptional professional and a reform-minded leader who stood out during a critical time for law enforcement in the country.
“Arase was not just another police officer,” the statement read. “He was a rare breed… whose life epitomised integrity, intellect, discipline, and dedication to public service. At a time when the Nigeria Police Force was plagued by a deep crisis of legitimacy, Arase stood tall as a model of what policing in a democracy should embody.”
The CSOs highlighted Dr. Arase’s meritorious service, noting his rise through the ranks was marked by excellence. His key roles included serving as Principal Staff Officer to three successive Inspectors-General of Police, Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, and Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Intelligence Bureau, where he led significant restructuring initiatives.
As the 18th Inspector-General of Police, appointed in 2015, he championed intelligence-driven operations, accountability, and community partnerships. According to the groups, his insistence on adhering to international human rights standards led to “measurable improvements in respect for human rights by police officers under his leadership.”
After retiring from the Force, Arase was appointed Chairman of the Police Service Commission. In this role, he fought to entrench transparency and meritocracy in police recruitment, ensuring a fair and corruption-free process despite “stiff opposition from entrenched interests.”
The tribute also celebrated Dr. Arase as a rare combination of scholar and practitioner. A graduate of Political Science and Law, he holds two Master’s degrees and a PhD in Public Law. He authored several influential books on policing and worked with numerous national and international institutions on police reform, including the UN Committee on the Prevention of Torture.
What truly set Arase apart, the CSOs noted, was his collaborative spirit. “While some police leaders often perceived rights groups as adversaries, Arase welcomed dialogue and collaboration. He listened, he engaged, and he acted—making him a trusted partner in the quest for a more accountable, citizen-friendly, and rights-respecting police force.”
Describing his death as a “monumental loss,” the organisations urged the Nigerian government and the police establishment to honour his memory by faithfully implementing the Nigeria Police Act 2020 and sustaining the reforms he championed.
“Nigeria has lost a reformer, a thinker, and a patriot who proved by example that policing can be a force for good,” the statement concluded. “Adieu, Solomon Ehigiator Arase. You came, you served, and you left an indelible mark.”
The tribute was signed by a wide array of organisations, including the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN), Confluence of Rights, and over a dozen other human rights and justice advocacy groups.
