BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

ABUJA- ACTING Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar, yesterday, said the remains of DIG Haruna John, who along with three other officers died in the helicopter crash last Wednesday in Jos, would be flown to Abuja to be honoured.

This, he said, was requested by his widow and other members of his family  before being taken to his home in Taraba State for burial.

Abubakar said the remains of the DIG and the other police officers would be laid to rest in their respective hometowns on March 31, noting that the incident in Jos would not deter the police from embarking on aerial surveillance operations, as police helicopters would soon resume regular patrols on completion of ongoing investigations.

Speaking when Plateau State Governor, Mr. Jonah Jang, paid a condolence visit to the Force Headquarters, the IG told the governor that the late DIG was in contact with him moments before the crash, noting that Haruna and the three other officers were dedicated and hardworking officers  and that their death was a great loss to the force and the nation.

Abubakar commended the Plateau State Government on its contributions towards ensuring that the deceased officers were given a befitting burial.

Earlier, Gov. Jang had noted that the dead officers sacrificed their lives for the enthronement of lasting peace in Plateau State. He said contrary to reports, the security situation in Plateau was under control with fresh strategies by the IGP in collaboration with other security agencies, including the Special Task Force, STF, in Jos.

He said: “The security situation in Plateau State is under control. Last Sunday, we had peaceful church services. And, contrary to what I read in some papers, the churches were packed full, people are praying more on the Plateau.

”We believe that the Almighty God will show us mercy and also help the security agencies to be more dedicated to ensure that they fish out and deal with perpetrators of violence.

Jang was accompanied on the visit by STF Commander, Major-General Mohammed Ibrahim; Plateau State Police Commissioner, Mr. Dipo Ayeni; Speaker,  House of Assembly, Director of State Security Service, and Commissioner for Information, among others.