Retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Parry Osayande on Sunday in Benin, passed away barely 24 hours before his 89th birthday.
This was confirmed in a condolence statement by the Immaculate Conception College Old Boys’ Association (ICCOBA), where he was described as an “exemplary old boy” of the school.
The President, ICCOBA Worldwide, Ighodalo Edetanlen, on behalf of the National Executive Committee and the entire Old Boys the College announced Osayande’s demise.
“With total submission to the will of God, we announce the peaceful repose of an exemplary old boy, DIG Parry Benjamin Osemwegie Osayande (Rtd) earlier today at the age of 88 years,” the statement read.
Osayande was born on September 29, 1936, in Benin.
He attended the Immaculate Conception College, Benin City, before joining the Nigeria Police Force in 1960 as a cadet inspector.
Over the years, he trained at some of the world’s most prestigious policing institutions, including the Police Staff College, Bramshill, and the Metropolitan Police College, Hendon, in England.
Osayande rose through the ranks with postings that defined his career; serving as Commissioner of Police in Bendel (now Edo and Delta), Benue and Cross River States.
He rise to the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police in 1990 and in 1992, he retired from the force.
He was widely remembered for leading the crackdown on Lawrence Anini, the notorious armed robber who terrorised the defunct Bendel State in the 80s.
Osayande was also famous for directing police responses to religious riots in Bauchi and Kano.
After retirement, he chaired the Police Reforms Committee under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and later served as Chairman of Police Service Commission between 2008 and 2013 under President Goodluck Jonathan.
His service earned him national honours, including Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), and the Nigerian Police Medal (NPM).
While mourning his death, ICCOBA urged members and the public to keep his family in prayers.
“While we mourn, let us also uphold the family he left behind in prayers in this moment of grief,” the statement added.
