Late IGP Arase Laid to Rest In Benin Amid Sober Reflections On His Life of Service And Love For God

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Nigeria’s late former Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Solomon Ehigiator Arase was laid to rest on Friday in Benin amidst eulogies by prominent Nigerians, associates, the clergy, friends and family members.

Arase, the immediate past chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), died on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at a private hospital in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, and was interred after a funeral mass held at the St Paul Catholic Church, Airport Road, Benin.

In his homily, Reverend Father Andrew Obiyan, described the late ex-IGP as a man who feared and loved God and gave glory to God that he got to the peak of his career.

Urging the congregation to work towards making heaven after death, Fr. Obiyan noted that people would want to go everywhere on earth but refused to go to the House of God.

He expressed disappointment at the attitude of some humans towards donating towards the work of God.

According to him, “Our own life is in heaven. We must never be distracted. We now see old age creeping into our lives daily powerfully. It crept in to remind us of immortality. We study so hard to receive so many titles. At death, those titles mean nothing to God. The only title that means so much is a grace of battle.

“We have the assurance that Arase will reap the fruit of baptism in the presence of the eternal King.

“Sometimes we go everywhere but we don’t want to go to the house of God except when we want to please people. We do not want to come to the house of God.

“Late Arase feared and loved God. Policing is a profession with risk. We see soaring crime rate, yet many police officers are exemplary.

“We give glory to God for Arase’s getting to the peak of his career. The lord does not take from you what he cannot give.”

Governor Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State said late Arase was of great service to the nation. “Moments like this are for us to know that one day, we will lie down like this. We should be humble to serve our state and country to the best of our ability. All about him are great and good testaments, from his professionalism and service to the country. His relationship with the rest of society marked his humility and spreading love everywhere he goes.”

Dignitaries at the event were Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, Governor Monday Okpebholo, represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa; Oba Ewuare II, represented by Chief Oseni Elamah and Chief Uso Osaretin, the Usoh of Benin Kingdom; former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi; Senator Neda Imasuen; Zone 5 Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Stella Orakwe; and Secretary to the Police Service Commission, Onyeabuchi Nnamani, among others.

Arase, who was Nigeria’s 18th IGP, served between April 2015 and June 2016 before retiring from active service. He later emerged as chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) in January 2023 following his appointment by late President Muhammadu Buhari. He was however removed from the position in June 2024 by President Bola Tinubu.

Born on June 21, 1956, in Owan West local government area of Edo State, Arase studied Political Science at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, graduating in 1980. He enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force on December 1, 1981, later bagging a Law degree from the University of Benin and a master’s degree from the University of Lagos.

Before becoming IGP, he headed the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, the Force’s top intelligence unit. He also held several key appointments, including Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State and Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Intelligence.

The late police chief also had an international stint, serving in Namibia under a United Nations peacekeeping mission. He was a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).