Former IGP, Tafa Balogun Laid to Rest

Former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Tafa Balogun, has been buried in his Ila-Orangun home town on Saturday.

The burial was held in accordance with Islamic rites in his country home  in Ila-Orangun, Ila Local Government area of Osun State.

The funeral was attended By the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Alkali Baba Usman who was represented by the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mr Wale Olokode and representatives of Osun state government.

Before his  remains were buried, prayers led by the Chief of Imam of Ila-Orangun, Dr. Abdulhammed Salahudeen, were held for him inside Ila Eid prayer ground.

The body was later moved to his residence, where it was received by Osun State police Commissioner, Wale Olokode.

The final rites of passage for officer of his status which included gun salute were held for the late ex IGP by a police team, having eight operatives, dressed in their ceremony red over black uniform, before the body, wrapped in all white dress was interred amidst wailings by many that witnessed the ceremony.

In an interview, a former Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase described the deceased as one of the greatest Nigeria had in terms of policing culture, saying he was “an operational icon, intellectual and cerebral officer”.

Mr Arase said, “if you look around you will see that most of us who have come to honour him, are people who have drunk from the fountain of his knowledge, even in death, he remains, my mentor and benefactor. 
“He was like a big father when it comes to policing difficult issues, you can always go to him for advice, and we will miss him for that.

One of the representatives of Osun state Governor and his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ismail Omipidan, told Radio Nigeria that the late Balogun was well loved by his kinsmen and many people that came in contact with him as a police officer. 

He said, “Since the announcement of his death, all the shops in our markets had been under lock and key. If you notice as you are coming here, no trader is out to display or sell. All is being done to honour the late ex IGP Tafa Balogun. He is well loved by his people.”

Markets and shops across Ila-Orangun, in Osun State were on Saturday shut as a sign of honour for the ex Inspector General of Police.

Many commercial transport operators also did not render service, as residents of the ancient city trooped out in large number to the residence of the late Balogun located along Ila-Arandun road to witness his internment.

Apart from many serving top police personnel that were in attendance, some ex police officers also attended the burial ceremony. 

A long convoy that accompanied the corpse from Lagos to Ila, Osun state had a hectic time accessing his residence. 

Recall that the former IGP, Mr Tafa Balogun died on Thursday, August 4, exactly four days to mark his 75th birthday.

Balogun was born on August 8, 1947, and was named the 21st Inspector-General of Police on March 6, 2002.

He served as Inspector-General of Police between 2002 and 2005.

Adenitan Akinola.