IN a move that might weaken the hands of Nigerians demanding a thorough investigation into the remote and immediate cause of the surveillance helicopter crash in Jos, the Plateau State capital, in which Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Mr. John Haruna, died, his family, yesterday, asked the Federal Government not to investigate the cause of his death.
The request was made during the funeral service, where Haruna’s immediate younger brother, Ambassador Musa John, moved to dissuade the authorities from carrying out any form of investigation on his brother’s death.
Amid tears from sympathisers and 21-gunshot salute from men and officers of the Nigerian Police Force, the remains of Haruna was committed to earth very close to the Government House in Jalingo, at 3pm, with Governor Danbaba Suntai laying wreath at his graveside.
The burial service, which took place at the Secretariat of the Christian Association of Nigeria {CAN} in Jalingo, Taraba State chapter, Musa said the family members were not interested in any form of investigation whatsoever, as they are not “pointing accusing fingers” on anybody.
“We are not asking for any investigation into the death of our beloved brother, father, husband etc,” he said.
Musa John, who was visibly dejected, found words of consolation in several parts of the Bible, stressing that, “we all come from God and we all shall return to God one day.”
Showering encomiums on his late senior brother whom he said laid down his life for the country, the need for all and sundry to live a worthy life, irrespective of religion, tribe and status, he believed can no longer be over-emphasized
He observed that “it is not how long one exist on the planet earth that matters but how well you touched the lives of the people around you.”
Earlier, the officiating priest, Rev. Timothy Yahaya, who doubled as the state chairman of CAN, felt sad that the families of fallen heroes are often relegated to the background immediately after the demise of their bread winners.
In his message tagged “death is an appointment,” he observed that, “men have been dying in active service in this country, yet, their families have been suffering as a result of the lukewarm attitude of our leaders.”
Governor Danbaba Suntai, who identified Religion and tribalism as the major virus igniting disunity in the country, corroborated the position of the CAN chairman by saying that “Our mourning, cries and wailings would be useless if the children of the Late DIG are not taken care of by the authorities.”
The late DIG, who have served as a commissioner of police in Anambra, Niger and Benue states, as well as in the federal capital territory, was described by the Inspector General of Police, M.D Abubakar, as a gallant police officer.
Represented by DIG Kachi Udoji, the IG observed that “even in death, the stride of gallant steps are conspicuous” on the faces of Haruna, adding that “in his entire period of service to the nation, Haruna always brought to bear his compelling leadership traits with brilliance, courage and dedication that endeared him to everyone.”
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