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By Lizzy Chirkpi
Nigeria’s former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and ex-Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Solomon Ehigiator Arase, has passed away at the age of 69.
Arase reportedly died on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at Cedar Crest Hospital, Abuja. A close associate confirmed the development, though the cause of death had not been disclosed as of press time.
Neither his family nor the Nigeria Police Force had released an official statement regarding his passing at the time this report was filed.
Born on June 21, 1956, in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Arase rose to become Nigeria’s 18th Inspector-General of Police, serving from April 2015 until his retirement on June 21, 2016. He later chaired the Police Service Commission, an appointment made in January 2023 by then-President Muhammadu Buhari, before his removal in June 2024 by President Bola Tinubu.
Arase’s distinguished policing career began after he earned a degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University in 1980 and 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.
Over the years, he held several critical 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 in Namibia on a peacekeeping mission and was a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
Following his retirement, Arase was actively involved in legal practice, security consultancy, public speaking, and academic research. He collaborated with organizations such as the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the European Centre for Electoral Support, and the Human Rights Centre at the University of Oslo.
In recognition of his service, he was conferred with the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) by President Muhammadu Buhari in October 2022.
His death marks the end of a decades-long career in policing and public service, leaving behind a legacy of intelligence-led security reforms and institutional leadership.