Former IGP Solomon Arase dies in Abuja

Former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase has died at Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja. As of press time, neither his family nor the Nigeria Police Force has issued an official statement confirming his death.

Arase, who served as Nigeria’s 18th IGP, was later appointed Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC). Before becoming IGP, he led the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, the police force’s top intelligence unit.

Born on June 21, 1956, in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Arase graduated with a degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University in 1980 and 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.

Over the course of his career, Arase held several strategic 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 peacekeeping mission in Namibia and was a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

He retired from the Police Force on June 21, 2016, after reaching the mandatory retirement age.

In January 2023, former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him Chairman of the PSC, a position from which President Bola Tinubu removed him in June 2024.