Nigeria has lost one of its most respected law enforcement leaders, Solomon Ehigiator Arase, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 69.
Arase, a former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and ex-Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), died at Cedar Crest Hospital in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
A family source confirmed his death to Channels Television, while the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, also verified the news, noting that an official statement from police authorities would soon follow.
Born on June 21, 1956, in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Arase’s career spanned decades of service, leadership, and reforms.
He studied Political Science at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, graduating in 1980 before joining the Nigeria Police Force on December 1, 1981.
Never one to stop learning, he later obtained a Law degree from the University of Benin and a Master’s in Law from the University of Lagos.
Throughout his career, Arase served in some of the most sensitive and strategic positions in the Force.
He headed the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau (FCIIB), the top intelligence arm of the police.
He also served as Principal Staff Officer to several former IGPs, Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, and Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Intelligence.
Internationally, he represented Nigeria under a United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Namibia and was a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
Arase was appointed Nigeria’s 18th Inspector-General of Police in April 2015 by then-President Goodluck Jonathan, a role he held until his retirement on June 21, 2016, upon reaching the statutory age of 60.
During his tenure, he introduced several key policing initiatives, including the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), the Complaint Response Unit (CRU) to tackle police misconduct, and the Safer Highway Patrols, which enhanced the security of road users nationwide.
In January 2023, former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him Chairman of the Police Service Commission, where he continued to push for reforms, particularly in police welfare, discipline, and neutrality during elections. He held the position until June 2024.
Widely respected within and outside the security sector, Arase was known for his calm demeanor, reform-driven leadership, and unwavering commitment to professionalism in policing.
Many Nigerians remember him as a bridge-builder who sought to restore public trust in the Force at a time when confidence in law enforcement was low.
His death has sparked tributes from across the country. Security experts, political leaders, and former colleagues have described him as a patriot who left behind a legacy of service, reform, and dedication to national security.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in the coming days.
