The passing of Solomon Ehigiator Arase, Nigeria’s 18th Inspector-General of Police, at the age of 69, is more than a personal loss to his family and colleagues—it is a national moment of reflection. His death reopens an urgent debate about policing, reform, and the institutions that shape our collective security.
Arase was not just another man in uniform. He was a reformist who believed that policing in Nigeria could be more than brute force and corruption. His career trajectory—rising through the ranks, leading the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, and eventually becoming IGP in 2015—was marked by professionalism, discipline, and intelligence-driven leadership.
What distinguished him even more was his post-retirement service as Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC). At the PSC, he championed merit-based recruitment, transparency in promotions, and improved welfare for rank-and-file officers. His abrupt removal in 2024 reflected Nigeria’s recurring tragedy: a system too quick to discard reformers in favor of political convenience.
Beyond office, Arase was a consistent voice for state policing, recognizing that Nigeria’s diversity demands a decentralized and community-based security model. He also never shied away from speaking truth to power, condemning the rising attacks on police officers and calling out leadership failures within the Force. He believed that intelligence-led policing, not sheer force, was the way forward.
As Nigeria mourns him, we must resist the temptation to reduce his death to condolences and tributes alone. The real test of honoring Solomon Arase lies in whether the country takes his ideas seriously. Will Nigeria finally embrace genuine police reform? Will merit and professionalism triumph over politics in security governance?
Arase’s death should mark a turning point. To truly honor his legacy, Nigeria must recommit to building a professional, decentralized, and accountable police force—the very vision he worked tirelessly to advance. Anything less would be a betrayal of his memory.
Because the best tribute to Solomon Arase is not in wreaths, but in reform.
– Prince Emani Salami
