Nigeria has been thrown into mourning following reports that former Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has passed away at Cedarcrest Hospital, Abuja. SaharaReporters broke the news late Monday, though his family and the Nigeria Police Force are yet to issue official confirmation.
Arase, who served as Nigeria’s 18th Inspector-General of Police, was appointed in April 2015 by former President Goodluck Jonathan and led the force until his retirement in June 2016. Widely respected for his brilliance and calm leadership style, he was considered one of the most reform-minded police chiefs of the Fourth Republic.
After retirement, he was not far from national service. In January 2023, under the Buhari administration, Arase was appointed Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), a position he held until June 2024, when President Bola Tinubu replaced him in a sweeping security sector reshuffle.
Before his elevation to IGP, Arase had built a stellar career as a seasoned intelligence officer. He once headed the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, the apex intelligence arm of the force, and also served as Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State. His reputation as a strategist earned him postings as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of intelligence.
Beyond Nigeria’s borders, Arase also represented the country on the international stage, notably serving in Namibia on a United Nations peacekeeping mission, where he was praised for his professionalism and diplomatic approach to conflict resolution.
Tributes are already beginning to pour in on social media from former colleagues, security experts, and Nigerians who recall his efforts to clean up the force. Many describe his passing as “a national loss” given his vast knowledge of policing and governance.
As the country awaits official confirmation from his family or the police authorities, the mood is one of shock and grief. Arase’s death, if confirmed, closes the chapter on a man who combined loyalty, intellect, and courage in service to his nation, leaving behind a legacy that will remain etched in Nigeria’s security history.
