Just In: Former IGP Solomon Arase is Dead

Former IGP Solomon Arase Dead at 68

Nigeria’s 18th Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, is dead.

Arase, who was born on June 21, 1956, in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, died on Sunday at Cedarcrest Hospital, Abuja. As of the time of this report, neither his family nor the Nigeria Police Force has issued an official statement confirming the development.

Preliminary investigation sighted by Eagles Sight News on  NewsmakersNG, reveals that  Arase was flown into Nigeria in a coma from Morocco on Friday after allegedly suffering food poisoning at a wedding ceremony. Sources disclosed that he briefly regained consciousness on Saturday, raising hopes of recovery, but later relapsed and passed away on Sunday morning.

The late police chief led the Nigeria Police Force between April 2015 and June 2016 before retiring from service. In January 2023, he was appointed Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) by former President Muhammadu Buhari, a role he held until June 2024 when President Bola Tinubu relieved him of the position.

Arase had a distinguished career that spanned over three decades. He studied Political Science at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, graduating in 1980, and joined the Nigeria Police Force the following year. He later obtained a Law degree from the University of Benin and a Master’s degree from the University of Lagos.

Before becoming IGP, Arase served as Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Intelligence, and head of the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau.

At press time, details surrounding his death remain sketchy.