14th March, 2012
Authorities of the Nigeria Police have said the helicopter that crashed on Wednesday morning in Jos, the Plateau State capital, northcentral Nigeria, was on routine patrol.
The statement also confirmed that Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG, Haruna John was one of the four officers that died in the crash.
Haruna, a former commissioner in charge of Federal Capital Territory was promoted DIG less than a month ago.
He was decorated with his new rank last week and appointed the DIG In-charge of Operations, FHQ, Abuja.
Olusola Amore, Force Public Relations Officer in a statement issued on Wednesday afternoon identified other officers that died in the crash as Garba Yalwa, an Assistant Commissioner of Police who was the pilot of the helicopter, Alex Pwoi-Ja, a Chief Supritendent of Police, CSP who was the co-pilot and Sgt Sonatian Shirunam – orderly to the late DIG Haruna.
“The tragic incident occurred at about 11.30am on Wednesday 14 March, 2012 in Jos, Plateau State. The officers were on routine aerial patrol aboard a Police Helicopter before the unfortunate mishap,” Amore said in the statement.
He also added that the Force in conjunction with other relevant government agencies have since commenced investigation into the incident.
DIG Haruna John was born on 16 August, 1956, in Karim Lamido Local Government Area, Taraba State.
He enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on 5 June, 1978 as a Cadet Inspector and rose through the ranks to become a Deputy Inspector General of Police.
He was former Commissioner of Police in charge of Anambra, Niger, FCT Abuja and Benue State Police commands respectively.
While in service, he attended several professional courses both within and outside the country.
He was at Wakefield UK for General Investigation Course, where he passed out as the best Commonwealth student.
He was also in China in 2009 and 2010 for Professional Police Leadership Trainings.
DIG Haruna, a versatile, courageous and an operationally-sound police officer, will be remembered for his kind heartedness, generosity, humility and above all, his exemplary leadership qualities in crime prevention and detection.
He is survived by wife and children. Burial arrangements for the deceased officers will be announced after due consultation with their families.