By Muhammad Mamman
The body of former Inspector-General of Police, Dr Solomon Arase, arrived in Benin City on Saturday to an emotional reception by top security officials, Edo State representatives and grieving family members.
A Nigerian Air Force flight, NAF 031, conveying the remains touched down at Benin Airport at 1:25 p.m. and was received by senior police officers, including AIG Zone 5, Sulaiman Dogo, and Edo Police Commissioner, Monday Agbonika. They were joined by a state government delegation led by Chief of Staff, Alhaji Gani Audu, alongside the widow and relatives of the late police chief.
The Edo police command mounted a brief parade in his honour before the body was taken to Ebony Mortuary.
Speaking to journalists, Audu described Arase as “one of the finest police officers Nigeria ever produced”, praising him as a team player, reformer and compassionate leader. Representing Governor Monday Okpebholo, he conveyed condolences to the family and hinted at plans to immortalise him.
Arase, who served as Nigeria’s 18th IGP between 2015 and 2016 and later chaired the Police Service Commission, was born on 21 June 1956 in Edo State. He died on 31 August in Abuja at the age of 69 after an undisclosed illness.
He will be laid to rest on 3 October at his residence in Benin City.
