The Nigeria Police Force today mounted a Guard of Honour for the late former Inspector-General of Police, Dr Solomon Ehigiator Arase, as his remains departed for Edo State. The occasion saw IGP Kayode Egbetokun, describe Arase as an officer of enviable strength of character, while colleagues and citizens bid farewell to a distinguished national figure.
Arase, who passed away at Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at the age of 69, served as the 18th Inspector General of Police and was the immediate past Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC).
Born on June 21, 1956, in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, he joined the Nigeria Police Force on December 1, 1981. He retired on June 21, 2016, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60.
A graduate in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Arase also earned a Law degree from the University of Benin and a Master’s degree from the University of Lagos. In January 2023, he was appointed Chairman of the PSC by the late President Muhammadu Buhari, a position he held until June 2024.
Widely respected for his reform-driven leadership, Arase spearheaded several initiatives during his tenure as IGP, including the establishment of the Intelligence Response Team, the Complaint Response Unit to tackle police misconduct, and the Safer Highway Patrols initiative, which enhanced security for road users nationwide. Following his retirement, he remained active in security reform, particularly in election security and police neutrality.
Beyond his professional duties, Arase was a passionate advocate for education, youth empowerment, and social development. Through the Solomon Ehigiator Arase Foundation (SEAF), he promoted academic excellence by awarding scholarships to high-achieving Nigerian students, especially children of fallen police officers and youths from underserved communities. In 2025 alone, SEAF awarded scholarships to 29 students across fields such as Medicine, Dentistry, Engineering, Criminology, Political Science, and Business Administration.
Confirming his passing, the Arase family, in a statement signed by his son Solomon Arase Jnr., said: “The Arase family of Benin City, Edo State, hereby announces the passing of Solomon Ehigiator Arase, PhD, CFR, NPM, FDC, former Inspector General of Police. He passed away at about 9 a.m. on Sunday, 31 August 2025, at Cedarcrest Hospital, Abuja, after a brief illness. After a distinguished career as Inspector General of Police, Dr Arase also served as Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) and was a member of the Body of Benchers.”
The Nigeria Police Force, alongside colleagues, family, and well-wishers, continues to mourn the loss of a leader whose legacy of integrity, service, and excellence has left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s security sector.
