Immediate past commissioner for Environment in Lagos state, Dr Muiz Banire has expressed deep shock and disbelief over the death of Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of operations, Mr John Haruna in a helicopter crash in Jos last week. He described the late top cop as a rare officer and gentleman.
Banire in a statement he signed weekend further described Haruna as a detribalized and gallant officer who would surely be missed not only by the police and law enforcement community but by the entire nation. He urged the federal government to as a mark of honour name the FCT police command headquarters where Haruna last served or that of Lagos where he also performed well, after him.
In his words,”It is with great shock and disbelief that I received the news of death of a rare officer and gentleman, our dear Deputy Inspector General of Police, John Haruna.
“DIG John Haruna was a brilliant officer with uncommon and consuming passion for policing. His personal and selfless attachment to his duty earmarked him for popular accolades while alive that his mates and the receiving public always showered him with gratitude. Little wonder therefore when the Police Service Commission considered him fit and proper of deserving double promotion to his last position as Deputy Inspector General of Police. It was in further justification of his hardwork that he found himself in jos. He ordinarily would not have been in the ill-fated flight if not for his dedicated nature to duty by which he liked to personally supervise his instructions. For all purposes, there is a Police Commissioner in the State as well as an Assistant Inspector General of Police in the Zone from whom he would have gotten sufficient information to act on.
“He was a detribalised and gallant officer, an epitome of humility with courteous disposition. He was a resourceful and energetic policeman with impeccable character. During the Oodua Peoples’ Congress’s crisis in Lagos State, John Haruna handled the issue with professionalism devoid of ethnic bias or nepotism. He calmed all frayed nerves and settled the matter in a manner which assured the peace we currently savour in the State.
“John Haruna’s residence in Okota played host to numerous meetings of community service where he used the opportunity to project a commendable image for the Nigerian police as he exchanged banters with both the privileged and the hoi polloi. He single-handedly entertained attendees of such meetings with light refreshments and was regarded by all as a cheerful giver. For almost fifteen years of my relationship with him, he was ever willing and ready to render assistance to people without corresponding expectation from them.
“An amiable fellow has gone! Nigeria has been stripped of a priceless officer whose commitment to his fatherland is insuperable. John Haruna broke the ranks of men of the underworld and made Lagos State a hell for kidnappers during his years in Lagos State command. For this, kidnappers, who had just invaded Lagos State in droves felt they could teach him a lesson by kidnapping Haruna’s child. Despite his personal grief at this unsavoury development, John Haruna never betrayed emotions as he did not allow his personal interest to drown his oath as a policeman. With effective policing for which he was popularly known, he banished kidnappers from Lagos and his child sooner breathed the air of freedom.
“It is my prayer that the Nigerian nation shall be able to appreciate exemplary service and reward same accordingly by immortalising John Haruna as the new face of the Nigerian Police. We can only set an enviable precedent when men know that the good deeds they do surely live after them in appreciation by humanity. It is also expedient at this moment to appeal to federal authorities to consider naming the FCT, Abuja police command headquarters where Haruna last served as commissioner of police after him or even that of Lagos where he also performed excellently well as a mark of recognition of his gallantry and diligent service to this country.
“I pray the Almighty grant his noble soul eternal bliss and the family, colleagues and Nigerians, equanimity of heart to bear this great loss. To the Inspector General of Police,M.D. Abubakar, I know the vacuum the death of John Haruna would have created in your quest to transform the force, but I say, God will fortify you and your team.
“Rest well, an uncommon police officer!