Markets and shops in Ila-Orangun, Osun State, were closed on Saturday as a mark of respect for the interment of former Inspector General of Police Tafa Balogun’s remains in his country home.
Many commercial transport operators also did not provide services as residents of the ancient city flocked to the late former IG’s residence along the Ila-Arandun road to witness his internment.
Aside from many serving top police officers, some ex-police officers also attended the burial ceremony.
The long convoy that accompanied the corpse from Lagos to Ila, Osun State, had a difficult time getting to his home.
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 newsmen 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.”