TheCable

Yunana Babas, the assistant inspector-general of Police (AIG) in charge of zone 8, is dead.

The Zone 8 police command comprises Kogi, Kwara and Ekiti states.

Babas died on Thursday night, three days after the death of Omololu Bishi, AIG in charge of police armament, force headquarters, Abuja.

Bishi, who was among the 13 AIGs appointed by the Police Service Commission (PSC) in December, died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, on Monday.

Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, governor of Kwara state, commiserated with the police authorities over the death of Babas, saying “it is one tragedy too many”.

“I received the news of the death of AIG Yunana Babas with shock and sadness. It is one tragedy too many. On behalf of the people and Government of Kwara State, I condole with the entire police family, especially the Inspector General of Police and the immediate family of the top officer, on this devastating development,” AbdulRazaq said in a statement.

“The late officer is a fine gentleman, a patriot, and a professional cop who was very passionate about his duty to his fatherland. I recall the gallant roles the late officer played in some recent security developments in the zone.

The governor prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul.

Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi, described the late Babas as a “decent, gallant and intelligent police officer”.

In a statement issued by Onogwu Mohammed, his chief press secretary, Bello said Nigeria must ensure that law enforcement officers are appreciated while they are still alive and that one of the ways of doing this is by improving their service conditions.

“On behalf of the good people of Kogi State and myself, may I offer our deepest condolences on this monumental tragedy to his family and friends, the Kogi State Police Command and the national police hierarchy, especially our good friend Mohammed Adamu, the Inspector-General of Police,” he said.

“Leadership at all levels must see to it that our law enforcement officers, the men and women who stand between us and criminality, terrorism and total anarchy are appreciated by the system while they can enjoy it.

“We can start by showing these patriots who often serve at the risk of their own lives that we appreciate their sacrifices by tremendously improving on their present conditions of service.

“He was a key component of our award-winning security architecture in Kogi State. He led from the front and provided a rallying influence for his men across the states of Zone 8, particularly in the Kogi State Police Command.”