Police veteran, Arase, succumbs to death in a hospital in Abuja capital city
Former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Ehigiator Arase, has reportedly passed away in Abuja.
Born on June 21, 1956, in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Arase joined the Nigeria Police Force on December 1, 1981. He studied Political Science at Ahmadu Bello University, graduating in 1980, and later earned a Law degree from the University of Benin and a Master's degree from the University of Lagos.
Throughout his career, Arase served in several strategic positions, including Principal Staff Officer to former IGPs, Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of intelligence, and heading the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, the police force's top intelligence unit. Before being appointed IGP, Arase represented Nigeria in Namibia under a United Nations peacekeeping mission.
During his tenure as IGP, Arase continued to contribute to policing reforms, particularly in election security and neutrality. After his tenure, Arase was appointed Chairman of the Police Service Commission by the late Muhammadu Buhari administration in January 2023. He retired from the Force on June 21, 2016, upon reaching the statutory retirement age.
There has been some concern on social media due to Arase's distinguished career. However, there is currently no official confirmation of Arase's death from his family or the Nigeria Police Force. According to NTA's report on August 31, 2025, Arase died in an Abuja hospital due to ill health. A friend of the former IGP, Solomon Ehigiator Arase, confirmed his death.
Arase was a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence Academy and served as Nigeria's 18th Inspector-General of Police. His contributions to the Nigeria Police Force and the nation at large will be remembered.
