…Says crash first in history of Police air operations
ABUJA – Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed  Abubakar, disclosed, Thursday, that the Accident and Investigation Bureau, AIB, of the Federal Ministry of Aviation had commenced investigation into the cause of crash of the police helicopter in Jos, Wednesday.

The IGP made the disclosure just as he insisted that insinuations about suspicion that the helicopter may have been tampered with before the crash, would be discovered by the Aviation Investigation Bureau, stressing that it was only after that,  that the police can move in.

Speaking at a joint briefing with the Minister of Police Affairs, retired Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade, at the Force Headquarters, the IGP said: “I won’t say anything as to whether there was suspicion of foul play or not. The crash for now remains an ‘accident unless the investigation proved otherwise.

“The Federal Ministry of Aviation, who are the experts, have been invited to conduct an investigation. So, we should wait to see the outcome.”

First in history
Emphasizing that in the history of the Nigeria Police Air Wing, the crash was the first the police had recorded with its helicopters, he assured that the force would do its best to provide security for the nation.

His words: “Like I said earlier, I am the saddest person as a result of Haruna’s death. I have known and worked with Dig Haruna for over 31 years. I know his capability, which is why I recommended him as my DIG Operations. It is indeed a great loss to the Police Force.

“This is the price to pay in the service of this country. On our part, we shall continue to do our best to serve this country and we will rededicate our efforts in making safety and security of this country our priority.”

It’s a tragic loss—Olubolade
Earlier, Capt. Olubolade had expressed sadness over the death of DIG Haruna John and three others in the crash, describing it as a “tragic loss to the police and a sad moment in the country.”

He said: “As a result of insecurity in the land, these officers have had to pay the supreme price. It is unfortunate. They lost their lives in the course of tackling current security challenges.”

While describing the deceased officers, especially DIG Haruna John as “brilliant and active officers” who were capable and committed to their job, the minister assured that government would support the families of the deceased officers to make sure they did not die in vain. According to him, the ministry and the police are already working out the modality to support them.

IG pays condolence visit
Shortly after the conference, the IG paid condolence visit to the family of late Sgt. Sonatian Shirunam, the orderly to late Haruna, who also died in the crash, at Nyanya in the FCT.

Abubakar re-assured the wife and six children of the determination of the police to assist them, adding that the education of the children of the late officer would not suffer.

*Wreckage of the crashed Helicopter

Also at the home of the orderly to commiserate with the family were the Chairman of Police Service Commission, PSC, DIG Parry Osayande (rtd) and some commissioners in the PSC.

Haruna, others died for Nigeria—PDP
The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said, yesterday, that Haruna and others died for Nigeria.
Acting National Chairman of PDP, Abubakar Kawu, who described the sudden death of these officers as shocking, said they paid the supreme price by providing active service for the peace, unity, good health and growth of the country.

The statement read: “The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje has expressed deep shock over the news of the tragic crash of the Nigeria Police Force helicopter in which Deputy Inspector-General Haruna John, ACP Garba Yalwa, CSP Alexander Pwol-Ja and Sergeant Sonatian Shirunam lost their lives.

“The death of the officers came at a time of increased security challenges in the country when their skill and services were most needed by the Nigeria Police Force, the nation and the Nigerian people.

“The National Chairman, therefore, enjoined all well-meaning Nigerians to continue to promote the safety of the Nigerian society as a way of proving that these officers did not die in vain.”

He prayed the Almighty Allah to grant the President and Commander-in-Chief, the Inspector-General of Police, the families of the deceased and the entire Police community in the country the fortitude to bear the heavy loss.

A passionate professional – Fashola
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, in his condolence message signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Hakeem Bello, described the late DIG Haruna as a distinguished Police officer and a passionate professional.

He described the passage of Haruna, who once served as a Deputy Commissioner of Police in Lagos State and who died along with three other Police officers as a big loss to the nation.

The governor also commended late Haruna’s dedication and devotion to duty just as he condoled with the Police High Command for the huge and irreparable loss.

Uduaghan condoles
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State  was also, yesterday, at the Force Headquarters to commiserate with the Inspector General of Police over the death of Dig Haruna.

Uduaghan who arrived the Force Headquarters at about 10. 45 a.m, immediately made for the office of the IGP and after consoling the IG, proceeded to the ground floor where a condolence register was opened for the late DIG. He was accompanied by DIG Marvel Akpoyibo.

His comments about the late DIG read: “John Haruna, our brother; our friend. A fine officer. We are sad at your sudden death. May your gentle soul rest in peace”.

ACN condoles with IGP
The Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in its statement issued in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, described the late Haruna John as an exceptionally brilliant and intrepid officer, and a policeman’s police officer who contributed immensely to the uplifting of the force in his lifetime.

ACN described his death as a huge loss not only to his family, but to the Nigeria Police Force and the entire country.  The party called on the authorities to thoroughly investigate the crash, with a view to unearthing the cause and at the same time preventing a recurrence.

Haruna John, a most exemplary cop – Ibori
Former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori in a statement by his Media Assistant, Mr. Tony Eluemunor, described the late DIG Haruna as a man who when he was the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Federal Capital Territory, redefined the work of a Policeman.

Ibori said: “When Haruna was elevated recently, real honour was done to a man who  actually deserved it;  but now that his job on earth is done, we can all but wish that the good Lord will grant his caring soul eternal rest and comfort the family he has left behind”.

He also enjoined the entire Police Force to emulate the late Haruna who was  so effective that he raised the profile of the Force in the estimation of all by the ways he elected to perform  his duties ,not counting the sacrifices he had to make.

Haruna died in active service – Gov Ahmed
Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed of Kwara State, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji AbdulWahab Oba, described the incident as unfortunate and a national tragedy, especially now that the Nigerian Police is being reformed and all hands are required to be on deck.

Ahmed added that the crash had also denied Nigeria the opportunity of benefitting from the administrative acumen of the deceased police officers at a time Nigeria is in the quest for an enduring peace and stability, adding: “We are indeed saddened.”

The governor who noted that DIG Haruna and others died in active service, prayed God to grant their families, the police and the nation the fortitude to bear the loss.