Solomon Arase, former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and ex-Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), has passed away at Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja at the age of 69.
Reports of his death, which broke on Sunday through social media, have triggered an outpouring of tributes and widespread concern across the country.
Born on June 21, 1956, in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Arase distinguished himself as one of Nigeria’s most reform-minded police chiefs.
He graduated with a degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University in 1980 and joined the Nigeria Police Force the following year.
He later obtained a Law degree from the University of Benin and a Master’s degree from the University of Lagos, qualifications that equipped him for the responsibilities he would shoulder throughout his career.
Arase rose through the ranks, serving in key positions including head of the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, Principal Staff Officer to successive Inspectors-General of Police, Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, and Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of intelligence.
He also represented Nigeria in a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Namibia and was a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
In April 2015, he was appointed the 18th Inspector-General of Police, a position he held until his statutory retirement in June 2016. His tenure was marked by landmark initiatives such as the establishment of the Intelligence Response Team, the Complaints Response Unit to check police misconduct, and the Safer Highway Patrols, which enhanced security for travelers nationwide.
He also earned public commendation for his directive banning indiscriminate searches of citizens’ phones by police officers in 2016.
After retirement, Arase remained active in national service. In January 2023, former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him Chairman of the Police Service Commission, where he pushed reforms to strengthen transparency in recruitment, reinforce police neutrality during elections, and improve oversight mechanisms until the end of his tenure in June 2024.
Beyond his policing career, Arase dedicated himself to education and youth empowerment through the Solomon Ehigiator Arase Foundation (SEAF).
The foundation provided scholarships to children of fallen police officers and students from underserved communities.
In 2025 alone, it awarded scholarships to 29 beneficiaries in disciplines ranging from Medicine and Engineering to Political Science and Criminology, reflecting his lifelong commitment to integrity, service, and excellence.
Tributes have continued to pour in from Nigerians, particularly on social media, where many described him as one of the most outstanding Inspectors-General in recent history.
On X, a user, Jasper Aniet Louis, wrote: “He was one of the brilliant minds in police uniform.
“Even though the pressure from politicians could sometimes derail most of their genuine efforts, he remains one of the best. May his gentle soul RIP.”
Another, Mazị Uche Okeudọ, described him as “probably the best performing IGP in recent history.”
Arase is remembered as a reformer, patriot, and visionary leader who left a lasting imprint on policing, governance, and social impact in Nigeria.
He rose to the zenith of his profession with a blend of intellect, discipline, and a firm belief in justice, education, and youth empowerment.
For many, his passing marks the loss of one of the most respected figures in Nigeria’s security and public service landscape.
