By Anthony Ochela, Abuja
Late former Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Mr Solomon Arase has been described as a visionary leader who brought transformative reforms to the Nigeria Police Force, prioritising citizen-centric policing and human rights protection.
Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, Professor Tony Ojukwu said he is deeply saddened by the the death of the former police chief.
Ojukwu, in a condolence message to the family, colleagues and the entire Nigeria Police Force, on behalf of the management and staff of NHRC, said the deceased was a distinguished friend of the commission and a stalwart champion of human rights.
“His establishment of the Complaint Response Unit was a landmark initiative, ensuring swift response to public complaints and fostering accountability within the police.”
According to Ojukwu, “As a human rights focussed police officer, he set up and encouraged intelligence led policing. By this policy, which aimed at actualising the right to presumption of innocence under the constitution, Arase insisted on intelligence gathering and investigation before arrest and detention of citizens, especially when petitions are written.”
He said Arase’s tenure was unlike today where citizens are arrested first, before any investigation starts, completely negating the principles of the constitution with impunity.
Speaking further on his service, Ojukwu noted that “beyond his tenure as IGP, Arase continued to leverage his expertise as chairman of the Police Service Commission, driving reforms and modernisation efforts.
“Indeed, his name has become synonymous with modern policing in Nigeria, reflecting his enduring impact on the profession.”
The NHRC boss said his legacy extends beyond his official roles as he remains a revered member of the human rights family, whose dedication to uphold the rights and dignity of all Nigerians has inspired a generation of human rights defenders and law enforcement officials.
“NHRC salutes Arase’s remarkable contributions to policing and human rights in Nigeria. His humility, intelligence, focus and commitment to excellence will be deeply missed,” he concluded.
