JUST-IN: Ex-IGP Solomon Arase Dies At 69

Former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and one-time chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Solomon Arase, is dead.

Arase reportedly passed away at Cedarcrest Hospital, Abuja. Though details surrounding his death remained sketchy as of press time. Neither his family nor the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has issued an official statement.

Arase, who was Nigeria’s 18th IGP, served between April 2015 and June 2016 before retiring from active service. He later emerged as chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) in January 2023 following his appointment by the then President Muhammadu Buhari. However, he was removed from the position in June 2024 by President Bola Tinubu.

Born on June 21, 1956, in Owan West local government area of Edo State, Arase studied Political Science at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, graduating in 1980. He enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force on December 1, 1981, later bagging a Law degree from the University of Benin and a Master’s degree from the University of Lagos.

Before becoming IGP, he headed the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, the Force’s top intelligence unit. He also held several key appointments, including Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State and Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Intelligence.

The late police chief also had an international stint, serving in Namibia under a United Nations peacekeeping mission. He was a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).

Arase retired from the Force on June 21, 2016, after attaining the mandatory retirement age.