20 Things to Know About Late Ex-IG Solomon Arase- Ekohotblog

20 Things to know about late ex-IG Solomon Arase.
He led major policing reforms and founded a scholarship foundation.
Arase leaves a legacy of service, empowerment, and leadership in Nigeria.

Former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Ehigiator Arase, has died at the age of 69. His family confirmed in a statement on Sunday that he passed away at Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja after an undisclosed illness.

EDITOR’S PICKS

EKO HOT BLOG reports that Arase, who served as Nigeria’s 18th Inspector-General of Police and later as Chairman of the Police Service Commission, is remembered for his reform-driven leadership and contributions to policing, youth empowerment, and education.

Here are 20 key highlights from his life and career:

Birth and Early Life – Born on June 21, 1956, in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, into a family that valued education and discipline.
First Degree – Studied Political Science at Ahmadu Bello University, graduating in 1980, which laid the foundation for his public service career.
Legal Studies – Earned a Law degree from the University of Benin, expanding his expertise in legal and civil frameworks.
Postgraduate Education – Obtained a Master’s degree from the University of Lagos, enhancing his academic and professional credentials.
Advanced Training – Completed studies at the National Defence College, combining academic excellence with professional police training.
Entry into Police – Joined the Nigeria Police Force on December 1, 1981, beginning a distinguished law enforcement journey.
Command Positions – Served as Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State and later as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of intelligence.
International Mission – Represented Nigeria in a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Namibia, gaining global policing experience.
Professional Fellow – Became a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence Academy, reflecting his commitment to strategic leadership.
Inspector-General of Police – Appointed IGP in April 2015, leading Nigeria’s highest policing office.
Reform on Misconduct – Established the Police Complaints Response Unit to address misconduct and restore public trust.
Intelligence Response Team – Created the IRT to manage high-profile crimes and improve operational efficiency.
Ban on Phone Searches – Directed police officers to stop searching citizens’ phones, protecting civil liberties.
Welfare and Modern Policing – Advocated for community policing, forensic development, and better welfare for officers.
State Task Force Leadership – Chaired a task force in Edo State that enforced anti-Community Development Association laws.
Police Service Commission – Appointed PSC Chairman in January 2023, where he pushed for reforms until June 2024.
Merit-Based Promotions – Promoted transparency and merit in police recruitment and appointments.
Educational Foundation – Founded the Solomon Ehigiator Arase Foundation (SEAF) to provide scholarships in medicine, engineering, security studies, and other fields.
Support for Police Families – Focused on helping children of deceased officers with access to education.
Retirement and Legacy – Retired from the Police Force on June 21, 2016, but remained active in public service, leaving a legacy of reforms, empowerment, and patriotism.

Arase will be remembered as a reformer, mentor, and patriot who worked tirelessly to modernise Nigeria’s policing system and empower future generations through education.