The Nigeria Police Force has taken steps to remember one of its own by opening a condolence register at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. This action comes after the death of Solomon Ehigiator Arase, the 18th indigenous Inspector-General of Police, who passed away on August 31, 2025, at the age of 69. Arase died at Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja following a brief illness, as confirmed by his family in a statement released that day.
Senior officers and staff members gathered at the headquarters to sign the register and show respect. The current Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, led the tribute efforts.
In a statement shared on the Nigeria Police Force’s official X account on Monday, September 1, 2025, Egbetokun described the event as a way to honour Arase’s service.
“The Nigeria Police Force has opened a Condolence Register at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, for the revered former Police Chief, as senior officers and staff pay their respects,” the statement said.
The tribute includes a nationwide gesture where the police flag will fly at half-mast across all commands and formations.
“In honour of his memory, the Police flag will fly at half-mast in all Commands and Formations nationwide,” the statement added.
This is part of several formal remembrances by the service after Arase’s death. The Nigeria Police Force, established in its modern form in 1964 with the first indigenous IGP Louis Orok Edet, has a long history of such protocols for fallen leaders. Since independence, the force has had 22 indigenous IGPs, with Arase serving as the 18th from April 2015 to June 21, 2016. The force now has about 371,800 officers deployed across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, grouped into 17 zones and eight administrative departments.
Arase’s career began on December 1, 1981, when he joined the Nigeria Police Force after earning a degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University in 1980. He later obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Benin, a Master’s degree in Law from the University of Lagos, and a PhD in Public Law from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. His roles included Principal Staff Officer to three IGPs from 2002 to 2008, Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, pioneer Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Intelligence Bureau, and Deputy Inspector-General of the Force Criminal Investigation Department.
Before becoming IGP, Arase headed the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, the top intelligence unit of the force. He also served in a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Namibia and was a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
During his tenure as IGP under President Goodluck Jonathan, Arase introduced key reforms. These included the Intelligence Response Team to handle high-profile crimes, the Complaint Response Unit to address police misconduct, and the Safer Highway Patrol initiative for better road safety.
He banned officers from searching citizens’ phones without cause and focused on forensic development, community policing, and officer welfare.
One event under his watch was the Agatu Massacre in Benue State in 2016, where he assessed the damage on presidential orders. He retired on June 21, 2016, after reaching the mandatory age of 60.
After retirement, Arase stayed active in public service. He chaired a task force in Edo State on anti-Community Development Association laws, worked as a security consultant for the Office of the National Security Adviser, the European Centre for Electoral Support, and the Human Rights Centre at the University of Oslo.
He contributed to the Committee on Prevention of Torture in Geneva, Switzerland, helping develop protocols on investigative techniques. In January 2023, former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him Chairman of the Police Service Commission, a role he held until June 2024 when President Bola Tinubu removed him. In October 2022, he received the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic from Buhari for his service.
Arase also founded the Solomon Ehigiator Arase Foundation to support education. The foundation awarded scholarships to 29 students in 2025 in fields like medicine, engineering, political science, and business administration, with a focus on children of deceased police officers and those from underserved areas. He was a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the International Bar Association, and the Nigerian Bar Association, and served as a member of the Body of Benchers.
The opening of the condolence register reflects the force’s tradition of honouring past leaders. For example, in 2016, then-IGP Arase opened a similar register for former IGP Sunday Adewusi at the Force Headquarters.
Tributes from leaders highlight Arase’s impact. President Bola Tinubu called him a “highly resourceful officer” whose innovations transformed policing.
“Arase served the Nigeria Police Force with distinction from 1981 to 2016, leading tactical, operational, and intelligence units, including a United Nations Peacekeeping mission in Namibia. As IGP, he introduced far-reaching reforms such as the Intelligence Response Team, the Complaint Response Unit, and Safer Highway Patrols,” Tinubu said in a statement.
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo described Arase as a “distinguished son of Edo” and a “patriotic Nigerian” whose reforms in community policing and criminal justice will be remembered. Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde said Arase was “one of the finest police officers the country has ever produced,” noting his counsel on security matters benefited Oyo State. Senate President Godswill Akpabio called him a “thorough professional and consummate security expert” who transformed the police.
Former IGPs also paid respects. Mike Okiro wrote in the register, “We lost a gem. We lost a wonderful patriot.” Ogbonnaya Onovo said, “Solo way, my dear brother, I never believed it would end like this.” Suleiman Abba noted, “Well, it is truly unfortunate, but you know, death comes to all of us. He lived a good life.” Retired Commissioner Fatai Owoseni recalled Arase’s support during his time as Lagos CP, saying his intelligence lab and resources were key assets.
Civil society leader Deji Adeyanju described Arase as a “friend of civil society” who cared about humanity. The family, in their statement, asked for prayers as they prepare for burial arrangements. IGP Egbetokun, during his visit, said, “His passing is not just the end of a chapter, but a collective mourning for a man who served with pride and honour.” The Nigeria Police Force prays for comfort for the family and all affected by this loss.
