It was a moment of tears and gnashing of teeth at Louis Edet Police Force headquarters yesterday at the final funeral parade in honour of the killed DIG Haruna John. Most of the officers and men who attended could not hide their grief just as they poured encomium on the fallen officer.
Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar described the death of Deputy Inspector General of Police, John Haruna and three other officers as a huge blow to the force, saying that the exit of Mr. Haruna in particular, left a “cancerous wound” on the Nigerian police.
The police boss who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General in charge of Administration, Mr Suleiman Fakai, recalled that the late officer became very popular for his exceptional brilliance in police operations. “He is one of the best. His name became synonymous with operations”, said Mr Abubakar.
Late Haruna was killed along with three other police officers on Wednesday, March 14, in a helicopter crash in Jos, 12 days after the acting IG decorated him with his new rank of DIG.
While saluting his gallantry and charisma, Mr. Abubakar attributed the recent double promotion given to the late officer to his exploits in Lagos, Anambra, FCT and other states where he had served meritoriously.
Mr. Haruna’s remains, conveyed in a motorcade to the Louis Edet House Force Headquarters at about 10:42am was received by his fellow DIGs led by Mr. Fakai.
As part of the honour bestowed on the officer was a 21-gunshot salute he received.
The funeral parade which lasted for 42 minutes was witnessed by Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd); former Inspector General of Police, Sir. Mike Okiro, Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mr. Parry Osayande; representatives of service chiefs and the wife of the deceased, Mrs. Olayinka Haruna and her children.
DIG John Haruna was born on August 16, 1956, in Karim Lamido Local Council of Taraba State. He enlisted into the Nigeria Police on June 5, 1978 as a Cadet Inspector and rose through the ranks to become a Deputy Inspector-General of Police.
LEADERSHIP learnt yesterday that the Haruna’s family had fixed today for the burial of the Late DIG’s mother who died from heart complications early in the week but moved it to next Monday. DIG Haruna’s burial has been fixed for tomorrow.