Nigeria’s former Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Ehigiator Arase, has died in Abuja. He was 69.
Family sources said he passed away on Sunday at Cedarcrest Hospital, though official confirmation from his relatives or the Nigeria Police Force was still being awaited as at press time.
Arase, the nation’s 18th Inspector-General of Police, was appointed in April 2015 by then-President Goodluck Jonathan and served until his retirement in June 2016.
A career intelligence officer, Arase once headed the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau (CIIB), the Force’s apex intelligence unit. He also served as Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom and later as Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of intelligence. His career included a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Namibia.
After leaving office as IGP, Arase remained active in national service. In January 2023, he was appointed Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) by President Muhammadu Buhari, a role he held until June 2024 when President Bola Tinubu relieved him of the position.
Arase was widely respected for his calm demeanor, professionalism, and strong grasp of intelligence operations, which earned him recognition both at home and abroad.
Late Solomon Ehigiator Arase
