Former Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, Passes Away in Abuja

Former Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, Passes Away

The retired police chief Dr. Solomon Arase reportedly died at Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja, though an official confirmation from his family or the Nigeria Police Force is still pending at the time of this report.

Dr. Arase served as the 18th Inspector-General of Nigeria, appointed to the apex position in April 2015 by former President Goodluck Jonathan. He helmed the Nigeria Police Force until his retirement in June 2016, following a distinguished 35-year service career.

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His contribution to policing and national security, however, extended far beyond his tenure as IGP. In a testament to his expertise and integrity, he was later appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2023 to lead the Police Service Commission (PSC), the civilian oversight body responsible for the appointment, promotion, and discipline of police officers. He served in this capacity until he was relieved of the position by President Bola Tinubu in June 2024.

Arase was widely regarded as a seasoned intelligence expert. His career was marked by a series of critical postings that shaped his deep understanding of security dynamics. Before his elevation to the top job, he served as the head of the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCID), the police force’s premier intelligence unit.

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His command experience included serving as the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State. He also rose through the ranks as the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Intelligence, a role that leveraged his core strengths in investigation and strategic security analysis. His service also had an international dimension, having served in Namibia as part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission.

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The news of his death has begun to trigger an outpouring of grief from colleagues, subordinates, and prominent figures across the nation. Many are remembering him as a cerebral officer, a reform-minded leader, and a gentleman who left an indelible mark on the Nigerian policing system.

As the nation awaits an official statement, the legacy of Solomon Arase—from intelligence officer to police chief to regulator—is being celebrated as one of dedicated service to his country.