Ex-IGP Solomon Arase dies in Abuja hospital at 69
Former Inspector-General of Police, Dr Solomon Ehigiator Arase, has been confirmed dead in Abuja at the age of 69. He reportedly passed away at Cedarcrest Hospital on Sunday, although official confirmation from his family and the Nigeria Police Force was still awaited at the time of this report.
Arase, born on June 21, 1956, in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, rose through the ranks to become Nigeria’s 18th Inspector-General of Police, serving between April 2015 and June 2016.
His career in the Force spanned over three decades, beginning on December 1, 1981, after graduating in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
He later earned a Law degree from the University of Benin and a Master’s degree in Law from the University of Lagos, further strengthening his professional credentials.
During his career, he commanded key operations and units, including serving as Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State and Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Intelligence.
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Arase also distinguished himself on international duty, serving in Namibia under the United Nations peacekeeping mission.
A Fellow of the Nigerian Defence Academy, he was recognised for his expertise in intelligence and criminal investigation, particularly while heading the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, the Force’s elite intelligence arm.
After his retirement on June 21, 2016, he was appointed Chairman of the Police Service Commission in January 2023 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, before his removal in June 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Until his death, he remained a respected figure in Nigeria’s security architecture, remembered for his reformist agenda within the Police Force and his contributions to policing intelligence both locally and internationally.
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