ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu, alongside eminent Nigerians and three former Inspectors-General of Police, has expressed deep sorrow over the sudden passing of former Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Solomon Arase, who died in Abuja at the age of 69.
Arase, who was Nigeria’s 18th Inspector-General of Police and later Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), passed away on Sunday morning, August 31, 2025, at Cedarcrest Hospital, Abuja, after a brief illness.
The family confirmed his death in a statement issued by his son, Solomon Arase Jnr. The statement read in part:
> “The former Inspector-General of Police passed on at about 9 a.m. on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at Cedarcrest Hospital, Abuja, after a brief illness. After a meritorious service as the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Arase served as Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC). He was also a member of the Body of Benchers.
The family seeks the understanding and prayers of friends, associates and well-wishers at this difficult time as arrangements for his burial will be announced in due course.”
A Distinguished Career
Born on June 21, 1956, in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Arase studied Political Science at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, before joining the Nigeria Police Force on December 1, 1981. He later obtained a Law degree from the University of Benin and a Master’s degree from the University of Lagos.
During his career, he served in various capacities, including Head of the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, and Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Intelligence. He also represented Nigeria in Namibia during a UN peacekeeping mission and was a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
Arase was appointed Inspector-General of Police in 2015, a position he held until his retirement on June 21, 2016. In January 2023, former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him as Chairman of the Police Service Commission.
Tributes from President Tinubu
In his condolence message, President Tinubu praised Arase’s service to Nigeria, describing him as a security expert whose expertise extended beyond policing.
“He was Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge
