President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former inspector general of police Solomon Arase, who died on Sunday, aged 69.

In a statement by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, Mr Tinubu extended condolences to the Nigeria Police Force, Mr Arase’s family, friends, and associates.

The president praised Mr Arase as a “highly resourceful officer” whose dedication to national security left a lasting legacy in the country.

Mr Tinubu noted Arase’s contributions through key reforms as the IGP and later as chairman of the Police Service Commission.

He highlighted Mr Arase’s leadership in establishing initiatives such as the Intelligence Response Team, Complaint Response Unit, and Safer Highway Patrols. The president commended Arase’s decades-long service and transformative influence on Nigerian policing.

Mr Arase served “meritoriously” from 1981 to 2016.

During his career, he led tactical, operational, and intelligence units, including United Nations Peacekeeping in Namibia and as police commissioner in Akwa Ibom.

He also served as principal staff officer to three IGPs, assistant inspector general in charge of the Force Intelligence Bureau, and later deputy inspector general of police at the Criminal Investigation Department.

After retirement, he continued to serve the nation, including as chairman of the PSC and head of Edo’s Anti-Crime Development Association Task Force.

His expertise also extended to consultancy with the Office of the National Security Adviser, the European Centre for Electoral Support, and the Human Rights Centre at the University of Oslo. He further served as a member of the Committee on Prevention of Torture in Geneva, Switzerland.

Mr Tinubu offered prayers for Arase’s peaceful repose and acknowledged the great void his passing leaves in Nigeria’s national security efforts.

“I pray for the peaceful repose of this dedicated security expert, whose experience and contributions will be deeply missed by our nation,” Tinubu said.

(NAN)