By Emma Peter, Abuja
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on Monday, August 31, 2026, joined other senior serving and retired police officers, family members and associates of the late Inspector-General of Police, Solomon E. Arase, to commemorate the first anniversary of his death.
According to a press statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the remembrance event featured a public lecture themed, “Policing, Good Governance, and National Development: The Strategic Role of Police Veterans in Building a Secure Nigeria.”
The late IGP Arase, who died on August 31, 2025, was remembered for his contributions to policing, leadership, scholarship and the welfare of retired police personnel.
The lecture brought together prominent retired officers and associates of the late police chief, including Professor Etannibi Alemika, who participated as one of the guest speakers.
Among those present were former Inspectors-General of Police, IGP Sunday Ehindero (Rtd) and IGP Mohammed Abubakar (Rtd), as well as other senior officers, retired personnel and dignitaries.
Also in attendance were representatives of the Akwa Ibom State Government and Police Service Commission, AIG Yemi Ogunyemilusi (Rtd), Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Police Veterans’ Foundation, DIG Mohammed Yesufu (Rtd), and the National President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association, POWA, Chief Mrs Mutiat Olufunmilola Disu.
The widow of the late IGP, Mrs Agharese Arase, past POWA presidents, members of the Force Management Team and other serving and retired senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force also attended the event.
In his opening remarks, DIG Mohammed Yesufu (Rtd) described Arase as an exceptional police leader whose establishment and leadership of the Police Veterans’ Foundation demonstrated his enduring commitment to the welfare of retired officers.
He called for the establishment of a Veterans Affairs Department within the Nigeria Police Force, saying such a department would help strengthen support for retired personnel and ensure that veterans benefit from relevant Federal Government programmes.
Speaking in tribute to the late police chief, IGP Disu described Arase as a leader who understood that policing was fundamentally about protecting lives, respecting human dignity and building public confidence in the police.
Disu said Arase’s legacy went beyond his years in active service, describing him as a man distinguished by service, intellect, integrity, humanity and sacrifice, whose contributions to policing would continue to inspire future generations.
In her goodwill message, POWA President, Chief Mrs Mutiat Disu, also commended the late IGP for his selfless contributions to the welfare of police families and retired officers.
She particularly recalled his support for the education of children of fallen police officers and his efforts to address the socio-economic difficulties confronting retired personnel.
Participants at the event called for the Police Veterans’ Foundation to be developed into a permanent institution capable of sustaining the welfare and interests of retired police officers. The programme ended with the presentation of awards to beneficiaries, including the widow of the late IGP, Mrs Agharese Arase.
The Nigeria Police Force, according to the statement, reaffirmed its commitment to honouring officers who have served the nation with distinction while strengthening collaboration between serving personnel and police veterans.
