Former Inspector-General of Police Solomon Arase Dies in Abuja

Former Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has died at the Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja.

As at press time, no official statement had been issued by either his family or the Nigeria Police Force confirming the development.

Arase, who served as the 18th Inspector-General of Police, was appointed Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) after his retirement from active service. Before his elevation to IGP, he headed the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, the police force’s foremost intelligence arm.

Born on June 21, 1956, in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Arase studied Political Science at Ahmadu Bello University, graduating in 1980. He joined the Nigeria Police Force on December 1, 1981. He later obtained a Law degree from the University of Benin and a Master’s degree from the University of Lagos.

During his career, he held key positions, including Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State and Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of intelligence. He also served as part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Namibia and was a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

Arase retired from the Police on June 21, 2016, upon attaining the mandatory retirement age. He was appointed PSC Chairman in January 2023 by former President Muhammadu Buhari but was removed by President Bola Tinubu in June 2024.