The Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr Tony Ojukwu (SAN), has described former Inspector-General of Police(I-G) Solomon Arase as a human rights champion.
Ojukwu stated this in a statement on Monday in response to the news of Arase’s passing on Sunday in Abuja.
He said Arase was a distinguished friend of the commission and a stalwart champion of human rights, adding that his demise deeply saddens the organisation.
“On behalf of the management and staff of the commission, I extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, and the Nigeria Police Force.
“As a visionary leader, Arase brought transformative reforms to the police force, prioritising citizen-centric policing and human rights protection,” he said.
Ojukwu stated that the establishment of the Complaint Response Unit (CRU) was a landmark initiative, ensuring swift responses to public complaints and promoting accountability within the police.
He added that, as a human rights-focused police officer, he established and promoted intelligence-led policing.
“By this policy, which aimed at actualising the right to presumption of innocence under the constitution, he insisted on intelligence gathering and investigation before arrest and detention of citizens, especially when petitions are written.
“Unlike today, citizens are arrested first, before any investigation starts, completely negating the principles of the constitutional guarantee with impunity.
“Beyond his tenure as I-G, Arase continued to leverage his expertise as Chairman of the Police Service Commission, driving further reforms and modernisation efforts,’’ he said.
Ojukwu said his name has become synonymous with modern policing in Nigeria, reflecting his enduring impact on the profession, noting that Arase’s legacy extends beyond his official roles, according to Ojukwu.
“He remains a revered member of the human rights family, whose dedication to upholding the rights and dignity of all Nigerians has inspired a generation of human rights defenders and law enforcement officials.
“The 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 said.
He prayed that his soul may rest in peace, and his family find comfort in the memories of his outstanding life and service.
