Nigeria is mourning the death of Dr. Solomon Ehigiator Arase, CFR, the 18th Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and former Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), who passed away on August 31, 2025, at Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja after a brief illness. He was 69.
In a hearty tribute, human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, described Arase as “a scholar in police uniform”, praising his intellect, reforms, and patriotism. Ozekhome noted that Arase combined deep scholarship with service, integrity, and compassion, leaving a legacy that bridged trust between citizens and law enforcement.
Appointed IGP in April 2015 by former President Goodluck Jonathan, Arase introduced reforms that reshaped the Nigeria Police Force. These included the creation of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), establishment of the Complaint Response Unit (CRU) to address police misconduct, promotion of community policing, ban on intrusive phone searches, and emphasis on investigation before arrests.
Born on June 21, 1956, in Edo State, Arase was a consummate intellectual. He earned degrees in Political Science, Law, Strategic Studies, and a Ph.D. in Public Law. He authored influential works on policing and democratic security management and was a fellow of the Nigerian Defence College as well as a member of global police and legal associations.
WATCH NEWS VIDEOS ON SYMFONI TV
After retiring in 2016, Arase was appointed Chairman of the Police Service Commission in 2023 by President Muhammadu Buhari. There, he championed merit-based recruitment and transparency in promotions. Through the Solomon Ehigiator Arase Foundation (SEAF), he funded scholarships for children of fallen police officers and underprivileged youths, reflecting his belief that education was central to national security.
READ ALSO:
President Bola Tinubu, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, governors, and leaders across Nigeria have paid tributes, describing him as a reformer and patriot whose contributions to policing will endure.
Arase is survived by his wife and children.
I appreciate how genuine your writing feels. Thanks for sharing.