Personality in Focus
Former IG of Police, Solomon Arase, Dies at 69
Former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and one-time chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Solomon Arase, is dead.
Arase reportedly passed away at Cedarcrest Hospital, Abuja. Though details surrounding his death remained sketchy as of press time. Neither his family nor the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has issued an official statement.
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 the then President Muhammadu Buhari. However, he was 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.
Source: leadership.ng
Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Benjamin Hundeyin, the outgoing Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command, has been appointed as the new Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO).
CSP Hundeyin takes over from Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who has been redeployed to the Delta Police Command to be in charge of operations.
According to a source, police authorities described the development as a routine administrative adjustment aimed at career progression and manpower optimization, stressing that it is neither punitive nor controversial.
CSP Hundeyin brings to his new role a wealth of experience in security operations and strategic communication.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Language from Lagos State University and a Master’s degree in Legal Criminology and Security Psychology from the University of Ibadan.
A seasoned communicator, Hundeyin has undergone specializeod training in Civil-Military Coordination at the Nigerian Army’s leadership institute in Jaji and is a member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the International Public Relations Association, and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPMN).
His distinguished career includes a stint with the United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), where he honed his skills in international peacekeeping and crisis communication.
Since March 2022, Hundeyin has served as the spokesperson for the Lagos Police Command, earning widespread recognition for his proactive engagement with the public and the media.
He succeeded former Lagos PRO, DSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, and has been credited with improving police-community relations in the State.
As the new national spokesperson of the police, CSP Hundeyin is expected to spearhead the Force’s communications strategy, enhance transparency, and strengthen public trust through effective crisis management and strategic messaging.
The transition is expected to take effect in the coming days after an official handover ceremony at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Police spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, has been transferred from Force Headquarters to the Delta State Command following his recent promotion to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), officials said on Wednesday.
Adejobi, who had served as the Force Public Relations Officer since 2022, was elevated from Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) to DCP before his redeployment.
He will now serve as Deputy Commissioner of Operations in Delta, a state described by police authorities as “operationally sensitive.”
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, approved the posting as part of routine deployments of senior officers.
Force Headquarters clarified that the move was not punitive but a progression in Adejobi’s career.
Adejobi was first appointed acting spokesman in February 2022, when he replaced Frank Mba.
He was later confirmed in the role by former Inspector General Usman Alkali Baba.
Police sources said Adejobi’s experience in public communication, operational management and community policing made him well suited for his new responsibilities.
As DCP Operations in Delta, he will coordinate security operations, address violent crimes and strengthen police-community relations in the State.
Access Holdings, on Thursday, announced the appointment of Mr. Innocent Ike as its substantive Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer. The appointment takes effective from August 29, 2025, following receipt of regulatory approval.
Mr. Ike succeeds Ms. Bolaji Agbede, who has served as the Company’s Acting Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer in the past 18 months, and has played a vital role in driving the Company’s performance.
Due to regulatory stipulations on the required years of experience for a Financial Holding Company’s Managing Director, Ms. Agbede will revert to her substantive role as the Company’s Executive Director, Business Support.
During Ms. Agbede’s tenure, Access Holdco achieved significant milestones, including ensuring workforce stability and seamless transition following the demise of the former Group Chief Executive Officer; successful execution of the Company’s N351 Billion Rights Issue and seamless hosting of two Annual General Meetings of the Company.
Her leadership and strategic vision have not only maintained the Company’s momentum but also strengthened its competitive position in the industry.
Commenting on the development, the Company’s Chairman, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, CFR said: “We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Innocent Ike as we move forward. At the same time, we want to express our deepest gratitude to Ms. Bolaji Agbede. Her outstanding contributions over the past 18 months have been invaluable, and we appreciate her dedication in navigating the Company through challenges and opportunities. While regulatory requirements necessitate this change, we are grateful for the strong foundation that has been laid.”
Mr. Ike graduated from the University of Lagos with a BSc (Hons) in Accounting in 1988, receiving recognition as the Best Graduating Student. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), and a Certified IFRS expert. He has over three decades experience in banking and financial services, ten years of which were spent at Access Bank, where he rose to General Manager, overseeing portfolios in corporate, commercial, and public sectors.
He served as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Polaris Bank from 2020 to 2022, during which he launched VULTe, the bank’s digital banking platform, earning several industry awards including the BusinessDay BAFI Digital Bank of the Year Award and the Nigerian Fintech Digital Bank of the Year Award in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Speaking on the appointment, Mr. Ike said: “I am honoured to take on the role of Group Managing Director /Chief Executive Officer and excited to work alongside the talented team at Access Holdings. I look forward to building on the strong legacy established by Herbert Wigwe and Bolaji Agbede, and driving our vision forward, ensuring we continue to deliver exceptional value to our shareholders and stakeholders.”
Access Holdings remains committed to becoming the World’s Most Respected African Financial Services Group, and with Innocent Ike at the helm, the Company is well-positioned for sustained success and growth.
