Markets and shops across Ila-Orangun in Osun State were on Saturday shut as a sign of honour as the remains of former Inspector General of Police, Tafa Balogun, were interred in his country home.
Many commercial transport operators also did not render services as residents of the ancient city trooped out in large number to the residence of the late former IG located along Ila-Arandun road to witness his internment.
Apart from many serving top police personnel that were in attendance, some ex-police officers also attended the burial ceremony.
A long convoy that accompanied the corpse from Lagos to Ila, Osun State had a hectic time accessing his residence.
Before his remains were buried, prayers led by the Chief of Imam of Ila-Orangun, Dr. Abdulhammed Salahudeen, were held for him inside Ila Eid prayer ground.
The body was later moved to his residence, where it was received by Osun state police Commissioner, Wale Olokode.
The final rites of passage for officer of his status which include gun salute were held for the late ex-IG by a police team, having eight operatives, dressed in their ceremony red over black uniform, before the body, wrapped in all white dress was interred amidst wailings by many that witnessed the ceremony.
Speaking with Sunday PUNCH after the burial ceremony, ex-IG, Solomon Arase, said late Balogun was, “one of the greatest we had in terms of policing culture in this country and apart from that, if you look around you will see that most of us who have come to honour him, are people who have drank from the fountain of his knowledge, he was an operational icon, intellectual to the core, a cerebral officer.
“Even in death, he remains, my mentor and benefactor. He was like a big father. When it comes to policing difficult issues, you can always go to him for advice, and we will miss him for that.
“For those of us that he brought up, Lagos was like Mecca to most of us because we look forward to seeing him and sitting by him to listen to that great wisdom in policing.”
