As the earthly remains of the former Inspector General of Police, IGP, Alhaji Adebayo Mustafa Balogun, are being returned to mother earth today in his home town, Ila-Orangun, Osun State, one man that will miss him most is his former Principal Staff Officer, PSO, Dr. Solomon Ehigiator Arase, Nigeria’s 18th indigenous IGP.
In a condolence message he issued Friday night, Dr. Arase described the sudden death of Tafa Balogun as a colossal loss to him because he (Balogun) impacted his odyssey within the Nigerian Police Force in many unforgettable ways.
Balogun, the 11th indigenous Inspector General of Police, passed on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at the Reddington Hospital, Lagos.
“I am devastated by the sudden death of my former boss and benefactor, Mr. Adebayo Mustafa Balogun,” Arase wrote.
“His death came like a bolt from the blues and has sent me, family, friends and associates of the late former IGP into deep mourning.
“His death came at a time when Nigeria is battling serious security challenges and would have benefited 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 files.
“Mr. Balogun impacted the Force in significant ways, led from the front, and inculcated the ideals of quality service, top-notch 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 the 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.”