Solomon Arase: Tears as Former Nigerian Inspector-General of Police Dies in Abuja
- A former inspector-general of Police (IGP) and the immediate past chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Solomon Arase, is dead
- Arase passed away on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at a private hospital in Abuja, the Nigerian capital city
- Arase, Nigeria’s 18th IGP, was born on June 21, 1956, in Owan West local government area (LGA) of Edo state
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs and governance in Nigeria.
FCT, Abuja - Solomon Arase, former inspector-general of police (IGP), is reportedly dead.
As reported on Sunday, August 31, by Vanguard, Arase passed away at Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja, aged 69.
Source: Twitter
Arase retired from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in 2016, after reaching the mandatory retirement age. He had been appointed IGP by the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
Legit.ng reports that Arase is also a former chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC). He was appointed PSC chairman in January 2023 by the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
Arase also served as the 18th IGP after Suleiman Abba was sacked.
Before his appointment as IGP, Arase was head of the topmost intelligence gathering unit of the Nigerian police, the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau.
As of press time, there has been no official confirmation from Arase's family or the NPF regarding the sad development, but Daily Trust said a family source informed it that Arase died after a brief illness.
Minister mourns Arase
Meanwhile, minister of police affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidami on Sunday, August 31, expressed shock over Arase's death.
Gaidami, in a letter of condolence, said Arase’s contribution has a great impact in the protection of live and property and cordially worked with the ministry in the transparent recruitment of 2024 police constable in the country.
Senator Gaidami described Arase's demise as a great loss to the people, police ecosystem, and government of Nigeria.
Source: Facebook
Makinde sad about Arase's death
In the same vein, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, said the former IGP was one of the finest police officers the country has ever produced.
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Makinde described Arase’s death as a massive loss to Nigeria as he was until his death, 'one of the most resourceful retired IGPs'.
Makinde's statement, obtained by Legit.ng, partly reads:
“Retired IGP Arase’s death will leave a huge vacuum in the security sector, as he was one of the finest police officers in his days of active service and one of the retired police chiefs with experience and expertise that could have been useful to Nigeria in years to come.
“My relationship with him dates back to many years ago and his experience and expertise had proved useful to us in Oyo state at different points”.
Lagos councillor dies
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that a newly sworn-in councillor representing Ward C1 in the Ibeju-Lekki local government area of Lagos state, Oluwakemi Rufai, died just two weeks after taking her oath of office.
The councillor, who was the only woman on the legislative council, passed away following a brief illness.
The news of her death was confirmed by both the chairman of Ibeju-Lekki LG, Sesan Olowa, and the chairman of Lekki Local council development area (LCDA), Rasaki Kasali.
Source: Legit.ng
