Segun Atanda/
Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mustafa Adebayo Balogun died at the Reddington Hospital, Lekki, Lagos at about 8:30 pm today during a brief illness, family sources have confirmed to NewsmakersNG.
Balogun who was Nigeria’s 11th indigenous IGP died at 74.
Born on August 25, 1947, Balogun became IGP on March 6, 2002, and was retired on January 17, 2005.
Balogun, who was recently installed as the Oluomo of Igbomina at his hometown, Ila Orangun, attended the University of Lagos, graduating in 1972 with a B.A. in Political Science. He joined the Nigeria Police Force in May 1973. He was a member of the Cadet ASP Course 3.
While serving as a police officer, Balogun bagged a law degree from the University of Ibadan. He worked in various positions around the country. He served as Principal Staff Officer to former Inspector-General of Police, Muhammadu Gambo, then Deputy Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Commissioner of Police first in Delta State and then in Rivers State and Abia State. He was appointed Assistant Inspector General of Police (A.I.G) in charge of Zone ‘1’ Kano, the position he held when he was appointed as IGP.
Balogun launched Operation Fire for Fire as part of his 8-point strategy to arrest growing banditry and cross-border robberies and he ended the reign of the notorious cross-border bandit, Hammani Tijani who was based in the Benin Republic.
Balogun was celebrated within the Nigeria Police Force for championing mass and prompt promotion of officers.
Retired DIG Taiwo Lakanu who had served as Balogun’s PSO was one of the first callers at the hospital where Balogun died tonight. He described the death as most unfortunate.
Here are pictures from his recent outings:
RIP. IGP M.A Balogun. Osun State has lost another illustrious son, after the death of DIG ISRAEL AJAO, a patriot and sterling Police Officer.