Published by Cyril-August 31, 2025
Nigeria has been thrown into mourning following the death of former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Solomon Ehigiator Arase, who reportedly passed away at Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja on Sunday at the age of 69.
Although there has been no official confirmation from his family or the Nigeria Police Force, multiple sources, including SaharaReporters, have confirmed the development.
Arase, who was appointed as Nigeria’s 18th Inspector-General of Police in April 2015 by then-President Goodluck Jonathan, retired from the force in 2016 after a distinguished career. In January 2023, under former President Muhammadu Buhari, he was appointed as Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), a position he held until June 2024, when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu relieved him of the role.
President Tinubu Mourns Arase
Reacting to the sad news, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed “deep sorrow” over the passing of the former police boss, describing him as a “highly resourceful officer” whose reforms left an enduring mark on Nigeria’s policing system.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President noted:
- “Arase served the Nigeria Police Force meritoriously from 1981 to 2016. During his career, he led tactical, operational, and intelligence units, including the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Namibia, Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, and Principal Staff Officer to three IGPs.”
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Tinubu highlighted Arase’s major contributions, including the creation of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), the Complaint Response Unit (CRU), and the Safer Highway Patrols, initiatives that boosted operational efficiency and improved police-citizen relations.
Legacy of Service
Beyond his role as IGP, Arase remained active in public and international service. He chaired the PSC, led the Task Force on the implementation of the Edo State Anti-Community Development Association Law, and served as a consultant to 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 was also a member of the Committee on Prevention of Torture in Geneva, Switzerland.
President Tinubu prayed for the peaceful repose of Arase’s soul, acknowledging that Nigeria has lost a “dedicated security expert whose wealth of experience will be deeply missed.”
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