18th indigenous Inspector-General of Police of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and immediate Past Chairman of the Police Service Commission, IGP Solomon Ehigiator Arase, CFR, NPM, fdc, FCIA (Rtd.) has passed on aged 69.
His death was announced in a police statement released on X on Sunday afternoon.
“The Nigeria Police Force is deeply saddened to announce the passing of the 18th indigenous Inspector-General of Police of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and immediate Past Chairman of the Police Service Commission, IGP Solomon Ehigiator Arase, CFR, NPM, fdc, FCIA (Rtd.), who died in the early hours of Sunday, August 31, 2025 at Cedarcrest Hospital, Abuja after a brief illness.
“The news of the passing of IGP Arase was officially communicated to IGP Kayode Egbetokun, through his first son, Mr Solomon Osabohien Arase jnr on Sunday.”. The statement read
Life and Times
IGP Solomon Arase, was born on the 21st of June, 1956, in Owan West Local Government of Edo State, attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he earned his first degree in Political science. He later obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from the University of Benin, a Master’s Degree in Law from the University of Lagos and a Ph.D in Public Law from the Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Edo State.
He was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on the 1st of December, 1981.
He was appointed the 18th indigenous Inspector-General of Police in April 2015 and retired on the 21st of June 2016. He was thereafter appointed the Chairman Police Service Commission on the 24th January, 2023 by Late President Muhammadu Buhari, a post which he held until the 10th of June, 2024.
During his tenure as the Inspector-General of Police, he introduced major initiatives for the reform and improvement of the Force, such as the Complaint Response Unit for swift responses to public complaints and adequate protection of citizens rights.