Nigerians from all walks of life yesterday trooped out to pay former inspector-general of police, Tafa Balogun, their last respect as he was buried in accordance with Islamic rites in in his home town ,Ila-Orangun, Ila local government area of Osun State.
Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman, was represented at the burial by the Osun state commissioner of police, Wale Olokode.
Representatives of the Osun State governments were also among the sympathisers at the ceremony. It would be recalled that the former IGP died on Thursday, August 4, four days to his 75th birthday.
Balogun who was born on August 8, 1947 served as inspector-general of police between 2002 and 2005.
Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has mourned the demise. Oyetola sent his condolences to the Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Kayode Oyedotun; former Osun governor, Chief Adebisi Akande; the family and friends of Mr Balogun, the Nigeria Police Force and the people of Ila-Orangun.
The governor in a statement by his chief press secretary, Ismail Omipidan, said the late retired police officer contributed in no small measure to the nation’s security during his years of meritorious service in the force.
Governor Oyetola noted that Balogun was a true patriot and respected community leader who made notable contributions to the development of his community and humanity at large. He added that this informed the conferment of Oluomo of Igbominaland chieftaincy title on him in 2020 by first class Igbomina traditional rulers in Kwara and Osun states.
Similarly, a former inspector general of police, Dr. Solomon Arase, has condoled with the Nigeria Police Force and the family of his former boss, Mr. Adebayo Mustafa Balogun, the 11th indigenous Inspector General of Police, who died on Thursday at the Reddington Hospital, Lagos.
Dr. Arase in a statement said he was devastated by the sudden death of his former boss and benefactor.
He said; “His death came like a bolt from the blues and has sent me, family friends and associate of the late former IGP into deep mourning.
“His death came at a time when Nigeria is battling serious security challenges and would have benefitted immensely from his wealth of experience.
“As Mr. Balogun’s PSO, during his tenure as IGP, I can attest that my former boss did a lot to boost the morale of the officers and men of the force with various incentives, decent wages, training opportunities, and approving promotions as and when due for deserving officers and rank and file.
“Mr. Balogun impacted the Force in significant ways, led from the front and inculcated the ideals of quality service, quality leadership qualities and can-do spirit in personnel across board.
“The plethora of awards that the Force got in the various peacekeeping missions abroad, as well as exploits at the home front, bear eloquent testimonies to the foresight, deep insight, capacity, gallantry, and leadership abilities of IGP Balogun.
“Worthy of commendation is IGP Balogun’s foresight in the establishment of Mobile Training School, which is now available for the training of personnel and special forces since Gwoza was over-run by Boko Haram. This is not to forget the creation of the Female Police Mobile Force, PMF, and the Police Computer College, all of which uplifted the quality of service by personnel.
“At a personal level, Mr. Balogun played a significant role in my career trajectory in the force, and my engagements even in retirement. He left giant footprints in the sand of the Nigerian Police Force and did his utmost when it was his turn to serve his Fatherland as Inspector General of Police. He is simply unforgettable.
May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Al-Jannah Firdous. May Allah comfort his wife, children, grandchildren, and the entire family that he left behind, and watch over them. Amen.”
