By Taiwo Lakanu
My first encounter with late IGP Solomon Arase fdc was in 2002, when we both served as Principal Staff Officers to the then Inspector General of Police, the late Tafa Balogun. At that time, he headed the more herculean Abuja office while I was posted to Force Headquarters Annexe in Lagos. From that moment, I knew I had met a man of rare intelligence, deep cerebral capacity, and uncommon focus.
Arase was a workaholic in every sense of the word; weekends never existed for him as days of rest. Yet, despite his demanding schedule, he always wore an affectionate smile and fondly coined a nickname for me “Lakay”, from my surname, Lakanu. We worked in perfect harmony, and he was always willing to lend his voice to issues of importance.
His brilliance and dedication were never in doubt. It is no surprise that successive Inspectors General of Police retained him as their Principal Staff Officer, relying heavily on his loyalty, intellect, and tireless work ethic. His accelerated promotions, which culminated in his rise to the apex of the Force as Inspector General of Police, were well-deserved. In that role, he distinguished himself by formulating and implementing policies that uplifted the dwindling fortunes of the Force and restored dignity to the office.
On a personal note, Arase played a defining role in my career. He deployed me as Commissioner of Police to Imo State, a posting that the then governor, Rochas Okorocha, initially resisted, preferring another candidate. But Arase stood his ground and appealed to the governor to assess me for just two weeks. Those two weeks blossomed into two years of fruitful collaboration. By the end of my tenure, the governor had named a street after me, gifted me a house in the GRA, and extended a generous financial reward for my performance – all as Arase had confidently predicted.
Beyond policing, he was a reformer, a bold thinker, and a man of vision. He single-handedly relocated the Police Service Commission from its dilapidated old premises to its current befitting edifice, an achievement that speaks to his courage and foresight. He was also a respected scholar and prolific writer whose works will continue to serve as a guiding “Bible” for the Nigeria Police Force for generations to come.
Solomon Ehigiator Arase lived a life of impact, service, and excellence. His legacy will endure in the annals of policing, scholarship, and reform. May the Almighty God grant him eternal rest and comfort his family, colleagues, and the entire police community.
Amen.
•DIG Lakanu (rtd) is the Federal Commissioner, Police Matters, Police Service Commission, Abuja.
