A former Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Solomon Arase is dead. He reportedly died at an Abuja hospital on Sunday, 31 August 2025, aged 69. A family source confirmed the death.
As of the time of filing this report, neither his family nor the Nigeria Police Force had issued an official statement.
Arase served as Nigeria’s 18th Inspector-General of Police. Before becoming IGP, he headed the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, the police force’s top Intelligence Unit.
Born on 21 June 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 1 December 1981.
He obtained a Law degree from the University of Benin as well as a Master’s degree from the University of Lagos.
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.
Arase retired from the Police on June 21, 2016, after reaching the mandatory retirement age. He was appointed as the Chairman of the Police Service Commission in January 2023 by the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu removed him from office in June 2024.
â– Biography
Solomon Ehigiator Arase was born 21 June 1956). He was retired Nigerian Police Officer. Former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him Chairman of the Nigeria Police Service Commission in January 2023.
Arase also served as the 18th Inspector-General of Nigerian Police after Suleiman Abba was sacked.
Before his appointment as IGP, Arase was head of Nigerian Police’s, Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau.
â– Life and career
He attended Ahmadu Bello University for his undergraduate studies and graduated with political science degree in 1980. He was recruited into the Nigerian Police on 1 December 1981.
He also obtained a bachelor’s degree in Law from University of Benin as well as a Master’s from University of Lagos.
While in Police service, Arase served in various capacities including being Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State as well as serving intelligence gathering unit as Assistant Inspector General.
He was a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence Academy and had served in Namibia during the United Nations peacekeeping operation.
Arase retired from the force on 21 June 2016.
After his retirement from Police service, Arase was appointed Chairman of a Task Force responsible for the implementation of Anti-Community Development Association Law in Edo State.
Arase dedicated his post-retirement undertakings to legal practice, Security Consultancy with organisations such as the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, the European Centre for Electoral Support, the Human Rights Centre at the University of Oslo, Public Speaking, Research and other Academic engagements.
He was a member of the Committee on Prevention of Torture, Geneva, Switzerland currently developing a universal protocol on Investigative Techniques.
On 24 January 2023, Arase was appointed Chairman of the Nigeria Police Service Commission by President Muhammadu Buhari.
â– Awards
In October 2022, a Nigerian national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) was conferred on him by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Biography details: Courtesy of online sources
