A week-long series of tributes and liturgical rites has been announced for the late former Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Solomon Ehigiator Arase (CFR, NPM, fdc), beginning Wednesday, September 24, 2025, in Abuja and concluding with Funeral Mass and interment in Benin City on Friday, October 3, 2025.
According to the Igbe-Arase family of Edo State, the programme opens with a “Day of Tribute” at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (dress code: blue) on Wednesday, September 24. A Requiem Mass follows at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 26, while lying-in-state holds the next morning, Saturday, September 27 (8:00–10:00 a.m.), at House 9, Golfview Estate, 1 Linus Nkachukwu Close, Maitama. The body will then depart Abuja for Benin City later that day.
The Funeral Mass is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 3, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Airport Road, Benin City, with a Police Burial Parade accompanying the cortege. Private interment follows at 3:00 p.m. at the family residence, after which mourners will reconvene for a Reception at 3:30 p.m. at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hall, Airport Road, Benin City. A Thanksgiving Mass will round off the rites at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 5, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Airport Road. (Dress code for masses: white).
Arase, who died at the Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja on August 31, 2025, retired as Nigeria’s 18th Inspector-General of Police in 2016 and later chaired the Police Service Commission. He left behind a legacy of service and reforms.
