Breaking: Former IGP Solomon Arase Dies in Abuja Hospital

| Adejumo Adekunle

Nigeria’s former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, has died at Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja.

Arase, who served as the country’s 18th Inspector-General, breathed his last on Sunday. As of press time, neither his family nor the Nigeria Police Force had released an official statement confirming the development.

Born on June 21, 1956, in Edo State’s Owan West Local Government Area, Arase carved out an illustrious policing career that spanned over three decades. He joined the Nigeria Police Force on December 1, 1981, after earning a degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University. He later added a Law degree from the University of Benin and a Master’s degree from the University of Lagos to his credentials.

Arase rose through the ranks to head the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, the Force’s elite intelligence unit. He also served as Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Assistant Inspector-General in charge of intelligence, and represented Nigeria in a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Namibia.

In 2015, he was appointed Inspector-General of Police, a position he held until his retirement in June 2016. He was also a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

After retirement, former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) in January 2023. However, President Bola Tinubu relieved him of the role in June 2024.

Arase’s passing marks the end of an era for one of Nigeria’s most respected police chiefs.