By Pius Awunah
The Nigeria Police Force(NPF) has mourned the death of its 18th indigenous Inspector-General of Police of (IGP), Solomon Ehigiator Arase (Rtd.), who died in the early hours of Sunday, August 31, 2025 at Cedarcrest Hospital, Abuja after a brief illness.
Arase was also the immediate past chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC).
The NPF in a statement issued on Sunday evening by the Force Public Relations Officer(FPRO), DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the news of the ex-IGP’s demise was officially communicated to IGP Kayode Egbetokun, through his first son, Mr. Solomon Osabohien Arase Jr., immediately after the unfortunate incident.
It gave a brief history of the late IGP’s academic qualifications and work experience ranging from been the Principal Staff Officer (PSO) to three IGPs between 2002 – 2008, Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, pioneer Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) and DIG Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID).
It said that he was appointed the 18th indigenous Inspector-General of Police in April 2015 and retired on June 21, 2016, and later made the Chairman of the PSC on January 24,2023 by the late President Muhammadu Buhari until June 10,2024.
The statement noted that 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.
“IGP Arase exemplified the highest standards of professionalism, bravery, and leadership, while his contributions to national security and police reform continue to resonate within the force and beyond.
”His passing is not just the culmination of a remarkable chapter but a moment of collective mourning of a man who served with pride and honour.
”Through the Solomon Ehigiator Arase Foundation (SEAF), he supported academic excellence by awarding scholarships to outstanding Nigerian students, with particular focus on children of deceased police officers and indigent students”,it added.
While paying condolence visit to the family of the deceased in Abuja on Sunday,IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, extended his heartfelt condolences on behalf of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, to the family, friends, and former colleagues of the late IGP.
The statement acknowledged Egbetokun’s deep pain over the loss and prayed for comfort, strength and peace for all at the moment of grief.
The IGP expressed appreciation to the contributions of the late Police boss to Police reforms and national security.
“The memory of late IGP Arase will forever remain etched in the heart of the Force and the country he so faithfully served,” Egbetokun was quoted as saying.
