Ex-IGP Solomon Arase Dies In Abuja
A former Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has died. Arase, 69, was said to have passed away on Sunday at the Cedar Crest Hospital in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Arase, who served as Nigeria’s 18th Inspector-General of Police, was later appointed Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC). Before becoming IGP, he headed the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, the police force’s top intelligence unit.
The family confirmed his death in a statement signed by his son, Solomon Arase Jnr, which read in part: “The former Inspector-General of Police passed on at about 9 a.m. on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at Cedarcrest Hospital, Abuja, after a brief illness. After a meritorious service as the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Arase served as Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC). He was also a member of the Body of Benchers.
The family seeks the understanding and prayers of friends, associates and well-wishers at this difficult time as arrangements for his burial will be announced in due course.”
Born on June 21, 1956, in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Arase studied Political Science at Ahmadu Bello University, graduating in 1980, and joined the Nigeria Police Force on December 1, 1981. He later earned a Law degree from the University of Benin and a Master’s degree from the University of Lagos.
Throughout his distinguished career, he served in several strategic positions, including Principal Staff Officer to former IGPs, Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, and Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of intelligence. He also represented Nigeria in Namibia under a United Nations peacekeeping mission and was a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
Arase retired from the Force on June 21, 2016, upon reaching the statutory retirement age. In January 2023, he was appointed Chairman of the Police Service Commission by then-President Muhammadu Buhari, a position he held until June 2024.
He was widely respected for his dedication to police welfare and his reform-driven leadership. During his tenure, he introduced major initiatives such as the Intelligence Response Team, the Complaint Response Unit to address police misconduct, and the Safer Highway Patrols, which improved security for travelers across the country. Even after retiring, he continued to contribute to policing reforms, particularly in election security and neutrality.
President Bola Tinubu and other Nigerians, including three former Inspectors-General of Police, yesterday mourned the sudden death of former IGP Solomon Arase, who passed away in Abuja at the age of 69.