Nigeria’s former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Ehigiator Arase, has reportedly died. He passed away at Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja, though the cause of death has not been made public.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from his family or the Nigeria Police Force confirming the development. However, multiple reliable sources within the police and government circles confirmed the news.
Arase served as Nigeria’s 18th Inspector-General of Police. He was appointed in April 2015 by then-President Goodluck Jonathan, just weeks before the end of Jonathan’s administration. He held the top police job until his retirement in June 2016.
Following his retirement, Arase remained active in national service. In January 2023, he was appointed Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) by former President Muhammadu Buhari. The PSC is the body responsible for overseeing recruitment, promotion, and discipline in the Nigeria Police Force. Arase held that position until June 2024, when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu relieved him of his duties and appointed a new chairman.
Born in 1956 in Edo State, Arase had a distinguished career in the police force spanning over three decades. He was known for his expertise in criminal intelligence and investigations. At different times, he led the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau (CIIB), which is the top intelligence unit of the Nigeria Police Force.
He also served as Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State and later rose to become the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Intelligence. His leadership in these roles earned him praise for improving intelligence gathering and crime detection strategies within the force.
Arase’s experience extended beyond Nigeria. He was part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Namibia during the early years of his career—a role that further enriched his international policing knowledge.
An academic at heart, Arase held degrees in Political Science and Law, and was known to encourage education and research within the police system. He often spoke about police reforms, professionalism, and the importance of intelligence-led policing.
Tributes have started pouring in from colleagues and public figures, describing him as a disciplined officer and a patriot who served the country with distinction. A senior police officer who spoke anonymously described Arase as “a bridge between the old and the new generation of officers.”
Although his death is yet to be officially confirmed, many Nigerians have taken to social media to express sadness and reflect on his legacy in the force.
Solomon Arase is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced after formal confirmation from the family.
