Matilda Omonaiye/
President Muhammadu Buhari led other prominent Nigerians to pay tributes to the late former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Coomassie, who was laid to rest today.
Among those who paid tributes to Coomassie, who was also the Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum and the Sardaunan Katsina, are the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara and a former IGP, Alhaji Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar.
In a condolence message signed by Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Buhari said he received the news of the death with shock and a deep sense of loss.
”Nigeria will never forget the excellent leadership that the late Coomassie gave to the Nigeria Police Force during the many years he served as IG.”
He added that his thoughts were with the late Coomassie’s family and those mourning the demise of the late community leader and a fine gentleman.
“On behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, I pray to Allah to receive his soul and grant the family he left behind the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” he said.
President of the Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, also expressed grief over Coomassie’s death.
In his condolence message signed by Yusuph Olaniyonu, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity described the late Coomassie as a thorough-bred, diligent officer and gentleman, who served his country with all his energy during his lifetime.
He added that Coomassie’s contributions to the maintenance of law and order as well as the fight against insecurity in the country could not be quantified.
He also added that the late Coomassie after retirement became a statesman, using the platform of the ACF to foster the unity of Nigeria and development.
He commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, the Nigeria Police, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), and the Government and people of Katsina State over the irreparable loss.
Saraki said: “We have lost an officer, gentleman and a patriot. My heart goes out to his wife, children and family members at this moment of grief. He shall be remembered for his forthrightness and sense of duty.”
He prayed to God to grant the soul of the deceased a place among the righteous ones in Aljannah Firdaus and his loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.
Dogara, in a message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan, in Abuja on Friday, described the late Sardaunan Katsina as an illustrious Nigerian and eminent statesman.
He noted that the deceased served the country meritoriously and dutifully, both in his eventful career in the Nigeria Police and in retirement.
He stated: “This is indeed a huge loss, especially at this trying time of security challenges when the country is in dire need of professional advice and elderly guidance from people of the ex-IGP’s calibre.
“But we must take solace in the fact that the late Coomassie left a legacy of professionalism and selfless service to the country and humanity.
“He will continue to be remembered for his outstanding courage, discipline and exemplary leadership, both in service as the police helmsman and in retirement.
“My sincere condolences to his immediate family, the government and people of Katsina State over this great loss.”
Katsina State governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Alhaji Abdu Labaran in Katsina.
He said, “Nigeria has lost one of its last standing patriots who served the nation with distinction.
“The former IGP was a highly patriotic, disciplined, reliable and committed Nigerian whose invaluable counsel will seriously be missed by both Katsina State, Northern Nigeria and the nation in general.
“Katsina State has lost a son that everybody was proud to be associated with.
“He was a true patriot who had little time for anything other than the pursuit of advancing the interest of Nigeria.
“Whatever assignments he was given he pursued it with a messianic zeal that will only abate with success.
“Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie has left a vacuum that will take time to fill.
“It is my sincere hope that other leaders will strive to emulate him.”
The governor condoled with the Emir of Katsina and the immediate family of the deceased.
Abubakar said, “We have lost one of the best cops, fearless and incorruptible. A police institution and a great Nigerian who has greatly contributed towards the development of Nigeria police and Nigeria. He was a mentor to many, a father to all and leader with a lot of wisdom. Nigeria, the police and Katsina will miss him. May Almighty Allah grant his gentle soul Rahama and aljannan Firdaus. Ameen ya rabbi.”
Mr Folorunso Atta, a senior journalist who worked closely with the late Coomassie when he was IGP, said: “Commassie was the second longest serving IGP after Kam Salem who served from 1966 – 1975. Commassie served from 1993 – 1999.
“It was only Commassie that served three former Heads of State – Chief Ernest Shonekan, Gen. Sani Abacha and Gen. Abubakar Abdulsalam. One of the three reasons why he could be adjudged as the best IGP Nigeria ever had was his anti-corruption stance. During his days, he fought corruption to a logical conclusion. He equally fought indiscipline amongst personnel of the force more than any known IGP.
“Commassie detested corruption so much in his life that it was reported that in 1974, as a Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of Tincan, Apapa Port, he detained a female traffic officer for offering him ‘returns’. As IGP, several policemen and women were either dismissed or reprimanded over corruption and incivilities to members of the public. Who is that officer of the force that bought rank or posting during Commassie era? I don’t think there was anybody.
“He did his job with the fear of God. He never had hand in the killings and shooting of prominent Nigerians like Pa Alfred Rewane, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Alex Ibru, Dr Omatshola, Bagauda Katho and Pa Abraham Adesanya. The Truth and Reconciliation Committee headed by the Late Justice Chukudifun Oputa, absolved him of any conspiracy over the murder and the shootings of these Nigerians.”
Born on March 18, 1942, the late Coomassie had his education within and outside Nigeria, including the Detective Training College, Wakefield, UK and Washington DC, U.S.
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