Agbonayinma Refutes Rumours on Arase’s Death, Urges Respect for Family

A former member of the House of Representatives and Federal Commissioner with the Code of Conduct Bureau, Hon. E.J. Agbonayinma, on Thursday debunked claims that former Inspector General of Police, Dr.

In a statement issued in Abuja, Agbonayinma described the allegations as “false, malicious, and completely unfounded,” urging the public to ignore them.

“There was no food poisoning. The claim that he reacted to a meal is pure fabrication,” he said.

He also condemned as mischievous the attempt to drag prominent individuals and families into the circumstances of Arase’s passing, stressing that such narratives were the handiwork of “unscrupulous elements seeking to undermine the dignified memory of a man who gave so much in service to his country.”

Agbonayinma confirmed that Arase had traveled to Morocco with his wife, family, and friends but emphasized that official details of his passing would be communicated by the family at the right time.

He appealed to Nigerians to accord the bereaved family respect and support rather than spread unverified stories.

“Dr. Solomon Arase was a patriot, a father, and a statesman who served Nigeria meritoriously. Let us honor him with dignity and respect. He died as a legend and a hero to be remembered,” Agbonayinma said.

Warning against the dangers of misinformation, he noted that the false claims of food poisoning were intended to create “unnecessary panic, confusion, and emotional distress to families, friends, and the public.”

He further urged Nigerians to rely on credible and official sources before sharing information to avoid being conduits of fake news.

Dr. Arase, who recently passed away, served as the 18th Inspector General of Police and was widely respected for his contributions to law enforcement and national security.