…beyond his policing career, Arase was also a lawyer and academic. He obtained a law degree from the University of Benin.
ABUJA, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | Nigeria has been thrown into shock following reports that former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. Solomon Ehigiator Arase, has passed away. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the retired police chief died on Saturday at Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja.
The news of his death filtered into the public space in the early hours of today, though official confirmation is yet to come either from his family or the Nigeria Police Force. As at the time of filing this report, details surrounding the cause of his death remain sketchy.
Arase, who was Nigeria’s 18th Inspector-General of Police, served meritoriously during a career that spanned several decades in law enforcement. Arase was appointed Inspector-General of Police in April 2015 by then-President Goodluck Jonathan, taking over from Suleiman Abba. His tenure, though short, was marked by reforms, emphasis on intelligence-led policing, and efforts to strengthen community policing structures across the country.
A respected security expert, Arase was widely regarded as a cerebral officer with deep knowledge of criminal intelligence. Before rising to the apex position in the Nigeria Police Force, he had served in various commands and formations, including the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau (CIIB). He was also at one time the principal staff officer to a former IGP, a position that further broadened his exposure to national security administration.
After his retirement in 2016, Arase continued to play key roles in Nigeria’s security architecture. In 2022, he was appointed Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) by President Muhammadu Buhari. In this capacity, he was tasked with overseeing the recruitment, promotion, and discipline of officers in the Nigeria Police Force, a role he carried out with his trademark professionalism.
Beyond his policing career, Arase was also a lawyer and academic. He obtained a law degree from the University of Benin, a Master’s in Law from Lagos State University, and further academic qualifications that underscored his intellectual depth. His contributions to literature on policing and security in Nigeria positioned him as a thought leader in security governance.
The reported death of Solomon Arase has left many Nigerians, especially within the security community, in disbelief. Tributes have already begun pouring in from colleagues and admirers who describe him as a gentleman officer, reformist, and mentor to many in the Force.
As the nation awaits official confirmation and further details from his family and the Nigeria Police Force, the news of his passing underscores yet another loss of a prominent figure in Nigeria’s security landscape.
If confirmed, Arase death would mark the end of an era for a man whose professional life was dedicated to law, order, and public service.
