Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebhole, announced that his administration plans to honor the late former Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, who was a native of the state. The governor made this commitment on Saturday when he received Arase’s remains at Benin Airport. Represented by his Chief of Staff, Gani Audu, Okpebhole praised Arase as one of the most distinguished police officers and IGPs in the nation, stating, “We will collaborate with the family to find ways to immortalize him.” He was an esteemed son of Edo State. “To us, Arase is regarded as one of the best police officers and lawyers in Edo, and his loss comes at a time when both the Nigeria Police Force and our nation greatly need him, which is unfortunate for us. It deeply saddens both the government and the people of Edo State, though we find solace in the positive life he led. It is distressing to lose someone who consistently listened to complaints and worked diligently to address them,” he remarked. Okpebholo characterized Arase as a collaborative individual, always ready to assist. He also prayed for the family’s strength to endure this loss, promising that the government would do everything within its power to support them. As reported by DAILY POST, the late Arase passed away on August 31 in a hospital in Abuja following a short illness at the age of 69. Solomon Ehigiator Arase was the 18th Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and subsequently served as the Chairman of the Police Service Commission. He obtained his Political Science degree from Ahmadu Bello University in 1980, followed by a Bachelor’s in Law from the University of Benin and a Master’s in Law from the University of Lagos. He also earned a Master’s in Strategic Studies and was a Fellow of the Nigeria Defence College. Arase joined the Nigeria Police Force on December 1, 1981, and held positions including Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State and Assistant Inspector-General overseeing intelligence operations and critical security matters.
