By Muhammad Mamman
Nigeria was on edge on Sunday following unconfirmed reports of the death of former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase, a development that has generated widespread concern and tributes across the country.
The speculation, which first surfaced on social media, has yet to be officially confirmed by either his family or the Nigeria Police Force. Nonetheless, the news quickly gained traction, prompting a wave of reactions from citizens who recalled Arase’s distinguished service and reforms during his tenure as the nation’s 18th Inspector-General of Police.
Arase, who joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1981 after earning a degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, rose through the ranks to become one of the most respected officers in Nigeria’s policing history. He served as Principal Staff Officer to three successive IGPs, a role that gave him unique exposure to the complexities of policing across diverse environments.
He was widely celebrated for introducing reforms such as the Police Complaints Response Unit (CRU) in 2015 and his landmark directive in 2016 prohibiting officers from searching citizens’ mobile phones—moves hailed as significant steps towards accountability and protection of civil liberties.
On social media platform X, tributes poured in from Nigerians. Jasper Aniet Louis described him as “one of the brilliant minds in police uniform,” adding: “Even though political pressures sometimes derailed their genuine efforts, he remains one of the best.” Another user, Mazị Uche Okeudọ, echoed the sentiment, calling him “probably the best performing IGP in recent history.”
Renowned as an intelligence officer, international scholar and detribalised leader, Arase was appointed Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) on 29 March 2023—a constitutional body tasked with overseeing appointments, promotions, discipline and dismissals within the Force, excluding the IGP. His tenure at the PSC was widely seen as a turning point for the commission and the police institution.
According to the unverified reports, Arase passed away at Cedarcrest Hospital, Abuja. However, no official statement has yet been issued by his family or the police authorities.
