Former IGP Solomon Arase dies at 69

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Nigeria’s 18th Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Ehigiator Arase had died following a brief illness. He was aged 69.

The family of the deceased confirmed his passage in a statement issued by his son, Solomon Arase Jnr, on Sunday.

According to the statement, the ex-IGP died at about 9 a.m. on Sunday 31st August, 2025, at the Cedercrest Hospital, Abuja, after a brief illness.

He retired from the Police on June 21, 2016, after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60.

After his exit from office, Arase was appointed as the Chairman of the Police Service Commission in January 2023 by late President Muhammadu Buhari

He, however, left office in June 2024.

Arase was the head of the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, the police force’s top intelligence unit before he was appointed as the IGP

During his career, he held several key positions, including Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State and Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Intelligence.

He also served in Namibia as part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission and was a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).

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 obtained a Law degree from the University of Benin as well as a Master’s degree from the University of Lagos.

Arase who was also a lawyer was a member of the Body of Benchers.

“The family seeks the understanding and prayers of friends, associates and well-wishers at this difficult moment, as they make necessary arrangements for his obsequious which will be announced in due course.”