Solomon Arase, former inspector-general of police (IGP), has denied the allegation that he took away 24 police vehicles while leaving office. Speaking from London, where he is billed to attend the graduation ceremony of his son, Arase expressed shock over the allegation. He wondered why Idris, who could have sent him a “text message”, decided to address the media on the issue. He also denied receiving any letter from his successor on the development.
“I suspect there must be a disconnect somewhere because every information needed by my successor are provided in my handover notes,” Arase said in a statement. I’m also not aware that any letter was written to me because if there was any dropped in my house, someone would have alerted me.”
“It’s unfortunate that this matter is being made a media issue because my successor has my telephone number and could have called me for any clarification or even sent me a text message rather than addressing the media on an issue well documented in my handover notes.”
You will recall that on Sunday, Ibrahim Idris, his successor, accused him and the deputy inspectors-general (DIG) who retired along with him of illegally leaving service with vehicles belonging to the force. The acting IGP had said he had written to Arase and all the officers concerned to return the vehicles to avoid sanction.