Nigeria’s 12th Inspector-General of Police, Otunba Sunday Gabriel Ehindero, CFR, NPM, fwc, has paid a tribute to his former Principal Staff Officer (PSO), the late Dr. Solomon Ehigiator Arase, describing him as a remarkable officer whose loyalty, humility, and professionalism set him apart in the history of the Nigeria Police Force.
Ehindero, who served as IGP from 2005 to 2007, recalled how unusual it was for a PSO to serve under multiple Inspectors-General. Yet, Arase’s brilliance and dedication ensured his retention across three tenures — under IGP Tafa Balogun, IGP Ehindero himself, and part of IGP Mike Okiro’s administration.
“There are PSOs and there are PSOs. Solomon Ehigiator was a unique PSO,” Ehindero stated.
The retired police chief listed Arase’s outstanding qualities as humility, loyalty, courage, conviction, fairness, and a reputation for excellence. He described him as an impartial arbiter, a mentor to younger officers, and a man of candour whose contributions left an enduring mark on policing.
Ehindero particularly noted Arase’s intellectual legacy through his many publications on policing, which, he said, “remain enduring contributions on the trajectory of law enforcement in this country.”
He added: “He towered head and shoulder above his contemporaries… an emblem of principled action, a living symbol of die-hard determination, and inexorable in changing the course of investigation in policing.”
Beyond policing, Ehindero highlighted Arase’s kindness and generosity, epitomised by the establishment of the Solomon Ehigiator Arase Foundation. He praised him as a de-tribalised Nigerian from Owan West, Edo State, who rose through diligence and integrity to become Nigeria’s 18th indigenous IGP.
“To me as his boss, he was a vital, energetic young man who epitomised hard work, honesty, and benevolence,” he said.
Reflecting on the inevitability of death, Ehindero invoked scripture, urging the late IGP’s family to find comfort in God’s word and the knowledge that Arase “fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith.”
He concluded with an emotional farewell: “Adieu, my able PSO. Age will not tell on you. At sunrise and sunset, we will always remember you.”
Arase, who passed away on August 31, 2025, after a distinguished career and post-service contributions as Chairman of the Police Service Commission, is remembered not only as a reformist IGP but also as a mentor, writer, and statesman whose life embodied candour, courage, and compassion.
Full Text of IGP Sunday Ehindero’s Tribute
TRIBUTE TO DR. SOLOMON EHIGIATOR ARASE IGP (Rtd.)
There are (Principal Staff Officers) PSOs and there are PSOs. Solomon Ehigiator was a unique PSO. Ordinarily, it was the practice that when an officer served an incumbent IG as a PSO, his successor would opt for a new officer. However, Solomon was so outstanding that he served the tenures of my boss Tafa Balogun, myself, and part of the tenure of Mr. Mike Okiro. He was my PSO from 2005 to 2007 when I was the IGP.
I think it is not only expedient but imperative for me to list some of the qualities and achievements Solomon was known for. Some of which are; he towered head and shoulder above his contemporaries; he was a humble and loyal officer, both in service and out of service, who possessed a remarkable power of endurance; he was an apostle of courage, a man of strong conviction and an emblem of principled action; he was an impartial arbiter without prejudice in relation to matters assigned to him; he had a reputation for excellence and fairmindedness; he had an impact at the turn of event in policing; he was a living symbol of diehard and inexorable determination to change the course of investigation in policing; his many publications on policing are his enduring legacies on the trajectory of policing in this country.
Life is full of misery. Death is one. Nobody knows when he would die, how he would die and where he would die. But death is certain. When we die, what will people say about us? We can say of Solomon, that he was a man of candour and a large-hearted man. He was accommodating and acceptable to both his superiors and subordinates. He was affectionate and would mentor young officers to grow in the service. He was a kind and generous officer as epitomised by his establishment of Solomon Ehigiator Arase Foundation.
He was a remarkable officer from Owan West, in Edo State, who through his own enormous energies and efforts made the journey to become the 18th indigenous Inspector General of Police. He was a de-tribalized policeman. To me as his boss, he was a vital, energetic young man who epitomised hard-work, integrity, honesty and benevolence. We, indeed, will miss him in this earthly realm. Solomon is not dead, properly so called. He is just at the beginning of a journey to an endless eternity.
To those left behind especially the wife, children and relatives I advise in the words of Ephesians 5:18-20: “Be filled with the spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord… and for everything giving thanks…to God the Father.”
I pray to God to grant him eternal rest and the family he left behind, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. Solomon’s death reminds us of the brevity of life. Be reminded that our best years are brief, our youth passes quickly and times ever a thief. Solomon has fought the good fight, he has finished the race, and he has kept the faith. I know that my redeemer lives. When the trumpet shall blow yonder, and time shall be no more, and the dead shall rise and be counted in the presence of the Lord, I pray, may we be there.
Adieu, my able PSO. Age will not tell on you. At sunrise and sunset, we will always remember you.
Otunba Sunday Gabriel Ehindero CFR, NPM, fwc
Inspector General of Police (Rtd)
