The Police Service Commission has mourned the passing of its former chairman and former Deputy Inspector General of Police, Parry Osayande, describing him as a ” fearless and focused officer”.
A statement signed by Ikechukwu Ani, the commission’s Head of Press and Public Relations, made available to journalists yesterday stated that “PSC receives with shock the passsing of its former Chairman, Parry Osayande, barely a month after the demise of Arase.
“The Police Service Commission has received with shock the news of the death of its former Chairman, DIG Parry Osayande, an erudite and consummate Police Officer who paid his dues as an exemplary Police Officer and visionary Chairman of the Commission.”
The commission reflected on his appointment by Former President Goodluck Jonathan shaped its growth and approval for a Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.
“DIG Osayande succeeded Chief Simon Okeke, who was the pioneer Chairman of the Commission. Osayande was appointed in April 2008 by President Goodluck Jonathan.”
“His tenure marked rapid growth of the Commission, including the Presidential approval for a Corporate Headquarters for the Commission now standing in the Jabi District of Abuja.
“DIG Parry Osayande was fearless, focused, and had a Commanding presence, which gave the Commission a lot of mileage during its formative period.”
Also, Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu, rtd mni, said the death of DIG Osayande was a great loss for the Commission. He called on Nigerians to remember the Commission in their prayers in this trying period of losing two of its former Chairmen within a month.
His death was also confirmed by one of his closest aides and a former Lagos Commissioner (CP) Fatai Owoseni (rtd).
According to Owoseni, DIG Osaynade died in a hospital in Benin City surrounded by his loved ones.
“A big and mighty “Iroko Tree ” has fallen. Indeed, the quality of humanity has been diminished. The Famous Nigerian Super Cop ,DIG Parry Osayande (rtd) has gone into eternal rest. Farewell, Baba!!!”wrote Owoseni, who also eulogised the late DIG.
In his tribute to Osayande, Owoseni who served as his Personal Assistant at different times in his career, wrote: “He built the Police Service Commission Office in Abuja. Interestingly, late IGP Solomon Arase was the one who first occupied the building.
“Both were prominent Benin sons. They both died on a Sunday. One was 89 (the birthday would have been tomorrow) and the other was 69. He was the DIG Operations, who put up the team that served in the Namibia UN Peace Keeping under the command of retired AIG Ifejika, in which late IGP Solomon Arase, also served.
“They both left indelible marks. PBO Osayande, OFR, CFR, mni, was an exemplary, highly courageous (he would always say truth to the authority, not minding what would happen, and which eventually led to his retirement as DIG)…”
Continuing, Owoseni described Osanyande as a highly civilised Benin Prince, adding that anyone would wonder whether he belonged to this clime.
He said Osayande was blunt and transparent to a fault, exceptionally brilliant.
“I doubt if the Nigeria Police Force ever produced an operationally sound officer of his ilk (probably late DIG John Haruna- another closest friend and senior colleague, who died in the ill-fated Police Aircraft in Jos).
“The power of his pen and command of words are scholastic. He was a giant and imposing in person and in his deeds. His passion for the Police, and to make it a civilised Force is unmatched.
“An “Iroko” has indeed fell. One of the last man standing amongst his contemporaries, among who was late IGP Gambo,” he said.
A respected figure in Nigerian law enforcement arena, DIG Osayande was known for both his hands-on leadership in major operations and his strong, critical views on police reform.
He was the Commissioner of Police in Bendle State who led the operations for the arrest of notorious armed robber, Lawrence Aninih in 1986, and was renowned for quellimg religious insurecetions in Bauchi and Kano states in 1990 and 1991.
Osayende died on Sunday in Benin, a few hours before his 89th birthday.
