News Editor
By David Odama
Former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Ehigiator Arase, is dead. He passed away at the age of 69.
Arase reportedly died on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at Cedar Crest Hospital in Abuja. A close friend confirmed his death to THE CONCLAVE in tears.
At the time of filing this report, the cause of his death had not been disclosed, and no official statement issued yet by his family or the Nigeria Police Force
Arase served as Nigeria’s 18th Inspector-General of Police and was later appointed Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC). Prior to his appointment as IGP, he headed the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, the highest intelligence unit of the Nigeria Police Force.
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 earned a Law degree from the University of Benin and a Master’s degree from the University of Lagos.
Throughout his career, Arase held several key 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 on a peacekeeping mission in Namibia and was a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
He retired from the Police on June 21, 2016, after attaining the statutory retirement age.
In January 2023, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him Chairman of the Police Service Commission and was later in June 2024 relieved of his position by President Bola Tinubu .
Biography:
Solomon Ehigiator Arase (born June 21, 1956 – died August 31, 2025) was a retired Nigerian Police officer and former Chairman of the Nigeria Police Service Commission (PSC). He was appointed Chairman in January 2023 by President Muhammadu Buhari
