Former Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, Dies at 69

Former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Ehigiator Arase, is dead. He passed away at the age of 69.

Arase reportedly died on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at Cedar Crest Hospital in Abuja. A close friend confirmed his death to THE CONCLAVE in tears.

As of the time of filing this report, the cause of death had not been disclosed, and no official statement had been issued by his family or the Nigeria Police Force.

Arase served as Nigeria’s 18th Inspector-General of Police and was later appointed Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC). Prior to his appointment as IGP, he headed the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, the highest intelligence unit of the Nigeria Police Force.

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. He joined the Nigeria Police Force on December 1, 1981. He later earned a Law degree from the University of Benin and a Master’s degree from the University of Lagos.

Throughout his career, Arase 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 with the United Nations on a peacekeeping mission in Namibia and was a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

He retired from the Police on June 21, 2016, after attaining the statutory retirement age.

In January 2023, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him Chairman of the Police Service Commission. However, in June 2024, President Bola Tinubu relieved him of the position.

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Biography:

Solomon Ehigiator Arase (born June 21, 1956 – died August 31, 2025) was a retired Nigerian Police officer and former Chairman of the Nigeria Police Service Commission (PSC). He was appointed Chairman in January 2023 by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Arase served as the 18th Inspector-General of Police following the removal of Suleiman Abba. Before his appointment, he was head of the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, the Police’s foremost intelligence unit.

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Life and Career

Arase graduated in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University in 1980 and was recruited into the Nigeria Police on December 1, 1981. He later obtained a Law degree from the University of Benin and a Master’s degree from the University of Lagos.

In service, he held various positions, including Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State and Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of intelligence. He also participated in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Namibia.

Arase retired on June 21, 2016, and was succeeded by Ibrahim Kpotum Idris as Acting Inspector-General of Police. After retirement, he was appointed Chairman of a Task Force for the implementation of the Anti-Community Development Association Law in Edo State.

Post-retirement, he was active in legal practice, security consultancy with organizations such as the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the European Centre for Electoral Support, and the Human Rights Centre at the University of Oslo. He also engaged in public speaking, research, and academic work.

He was a member of the Committee on Prevention of Torture in Geneva, Switzerland, working on a universal protocol on investigative techniques.

On January 24, 2023, he was appointed Chairman of the Nigeria Police Service Commission by President Buhari.

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Awards

In October 2022, Arase was conferred with the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) by President Muhammadu Buhari.