Solomon Arase Ehigiator, the distinguished former Inspector-General of Police who led Nigeria’s police force from 2015 to 2016, has died at Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja.
Arase, 69, served as Nigeria’s 18th Inspector-General of Police and most recently held the position of Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), an appointment he received in January 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Born on June 21, 1956, in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Arase built an exemplary career spanning over three decades in the Nigeria Police Force. He joined the force on December 1, 1981, after graduating with a degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University in 1980.
His educational achievements extended beyond his initial degree, as he later obtained a Law degree from the University of Benin and completed a Master’s degree at the University of Lagos.
Before ascending to the top police position, Arase served in numerous critical roles, including head of the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, the police force’s premier intelligence division. His career also included service as Principal Staff Officer to former Inspectors-General, Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, and Assistant Inspector-General of Police overseeing intelligence operations.
His international experience included representing Nigeria in Namibia as part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission, and he was recognised as a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
Reform-Minded Leadership
During his tenure as Inspector-General, Arase earned recognition for implementing significant reforms aimed at modernising Nigeria’s police force. His notable initiatives included establishing the Intelligence Response Team, creating the Complaint Response Unit to address police misconduct, and launching the Safer Highway Patrols program, which enhanced security for travellers nationwide.
Even after his statutory retirement on June 21, 2016, Arase remained committed to police reform, particularly focusing on election security and maintaining police neutrality in democratic processes.
Legacy of Education and Youth Development
Beyond his law enforcement career, Arase demonstrated an unwavering commitment to education and youth empowerment through the Solomon Ehigiator Arase Foundation (SEAF). The foundation has been instrumental in supporting academic excellence by providing scholarships to deserving Nigerian students, with special emphasis on children of deceased police officers and students from underserved communities.
In 2025, SEAF awarded scholarships to 29 beneficiaries pursuing studies in diverse fields, including Medicine, Dentistry, Engineering, Criminology, Political Science, and Business Administration. The foundation described these scholarships as investments in Nigeria’s future leaders and efforts toward building a more equitable society.
Remembering a National Leader
Colleagues and associates remember Arase as a principled leader whose dedication to police welfare and reform-driven approach left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s security landscape. His leadership style emphasised integrity, service, and excellence—values that continue to influence Nigerian law enforcement.
The recent scholarship ceremony organised by his foundation was filled with messages of hope and commitments to sustained educational empowerment, particularly for disadvantaged communities—a testament to Arase’s enduring vision for national development.
Solomon Arase’s death marks the end of an era for Nigerian law enforcement, but his legacy of reform, integrity, and commitment to youth development will continue to inspire future generations of security professionals and leaders.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
