Tributes as ex-IGP Solomon Arase dies at 69

A former Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, is dead. He was 69. A statement by the deceased’s son, Solomon Arase Jnr., said the former IGP died on Sunday in Abuja after a brief illness. “The Arase family of Benin-City, Edo State, hereby announces the passage of Solomon Ehigiator Arase, former Inspector-General of Police. “He passed on […]

A former Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, is dead. He was 69.

A statement by the deceased’s son, Solomon Arase Jnr., said the former IGP died on Sunday in Abuja after a brief illness.

“The Arase family of Benin-City, Edo State, hereby announces the passage of Solomon Ehigiator Arase, former Inspector-General of Police.

“He passed on at about 9 a.m. on Sunday, 31st August 2025, at the Cedercrest Hospital, Abuja, after a brief illness. He was aged 69,” the statement said.

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The family described him as a man who served the country with distinction, noting that after his retirement as the 18th Inspector-General of Police, he went on to serve as Chairman of the Police Service Commission and was also a member of the Body of Benchers.

Arase was born on June 21, 1956, in Owan West Local Government Area, Edo State.

He studied Political Science at Ahmadu Bello University and graduated in 1980. He later earned a Law degree from the University of Benin and a Master’s degree from the University of Lagos.

Arase was recruited into the Nigeria Police Force on December 1, 1981. He subsequently served as Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, and later as the Assistant Inspector-General in charge of intelligence, overseeing critical security operations.

In April 2015, he was appointed the Inspector-General of Police. As IGP, he introduced reforms, including the Police Complaints Response Unit, to address misconduct and improve public trust in the police.

The former police boss also created the Intelligence Response Team to manage high-profile crimes and enhance operational efficiency.

He was the IG who issued a directive banning officers from searching citizens’ phones.

In January 2023, the late President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him the Chairman of the Police Service Commission and served until June 2024, when President Tinubu appointed Hashimu Argungu, a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, as head of the commission.

President Bola Tinubu, in a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said Arase’s reforms as IGP and later as Chairman of the Police Service Commission brought lasting changes to the force.

“I pray for the peaceful repose of the soul of this dedicated security expert, whose experience and contributions will be deeply missed by our nation,” Tinubu said.

Edo Governor, Monday Okpebholo, described Arase as a distinguished son of Edo and a patriotic Nigerian whose legacy of service, professionalism, and dedication to national security will be remembered for generations.

Similarly, the Nigeria Police Force said it was deeply saddened to announce his passing.

In a statement by the Force’s spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the Force acknowledged the deep pain of the loss and prayed for comfort, strength and peace for all in this time of grief.

“IGP Arase exemplified the highest standards of professionalism, bravery, and leadership, while his contributions to national security and police reform continue to resonate within the Force and beyond,” the statement said.

“His passing is not just the culmination of a remarkable chapter but a moment of collective mourning of a man who served with pride and honour.

“Through the Solomon Ehigiator Arase Foundation (SEAF), he supported academic excellence by awarding scholarships to outstanding Nigerian students, with particular focus on children of deceased police officers and indigent students.

“IGP Kayode Egbetokun acknowledges the deep pain of this loss and prays for comfort, strength, and peace for all in this time of grief, while appreciating the contributions of the late Police boss to Police reforms and National Security.

“The memory of late IGP Arase will forever remain etched in the heart of the Force and the country he so faithfully served. May his soul rest in perfect peace,” it added.

In the same vein, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) said it received with deep shock and sadness the news of the sudden passing of Arase.

RULAAC, in a statement by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, described Arase as a rare police officer.

“In a country where the police institution is often associated with impunity, corruption, and brutality, Arase stood out as a shining example of what policing in a democracy should represent.

“He was an exceptional and exemplary cop, a reformer, and a rare breed of officer who made a significant difference,” Nwanguma said.

It said as a civil society organization working on police reform and accountability, RULAAC particularly recalls with admiration how open and receptive Arase was to civil society engagement.