Police DIG John Haruna, others die in helicopter crash

Newly promoted Deputy Inspector General of Police, John Haruna was among several other senior police officers confirmed dead in a Surveillance helicopter that crashed at noon today  in the crisis ridden Jos, North Central  Nigeria. The police helicopter which crashed into four houses in Kabong on a security facility occurred just as it was conveying the DIG Operations, John Haruna and the other Senior Police Officers back to Abuja. Our reporter disclosed that seven uniformed men aboard the il-fated helicopter and five children from four houses that it crashed into are feared dead. Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Samuel Dabai who confirmed the incident said the details were still hazy. "I am aware that a helicopter crashed this afternoon. I am trying to get the details now", Dabai said. However, police sources are yet to issue an official confirmation of the ranks and other victims of the crash. Mr. Haruna is one of the five Commissioners of Police elevated to the rank of DIG’s by the Police Service Commission last month. He was the Commissioner of Police in charge of Benue State Command and hails from Taraba State. Haruna was at several times, Commissioner of Police in charge FCT and Niger State. He was also CP in charge Federal Operations at Force headquarters. He has served as Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge  Lagos State and Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge Anambra State. He is billed for retirement in 2016. The senior police officers were in Jos, Plateau State capital to stem the escalation of violence in the city arising from a blast that rocked the St Finbarrs Catholic Church on Sunday during the last mass. Several worshippers died following the blast, a development which triggered reprisal attacks by some Christian youths.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s  President Goodluck  Jonathan has  described the accident as “unfortunate and a temporary setback especially at this time that all security forces are making concerted efforts to guarantee security throughout the country.” He commiserated with the families of the bereaved and the Police High Command, urging them to take consolation in the fact that these “fine officers” died in the course of national assignment.

March 15, 2012