Former Edo State governor Godwin Obaseki has mourned retired deputy Inspector-General of Police and former chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) Parry Osayande.
In a statement on Monday, Mr Obaseki said Mr Osayande provided him with guidance and support throughout his time in office and recalled his role in ending the reign of Lawrence Anini and his gang in Benin in 1986.
“I received with sadness the news of the passing of Deputy IGP, Parry Osayande (retd.), an illustrious Edo son and one of Nigeria’s most distinguished law enforcement officers,” Obaseki said.
He added, “I will miss his fatherly advice, his quiet but firm counsel, and the rare wisdom he shared as a dependable confidant and reliable mentor. He provided me with invaluable guidance and support, standing as a pillar of encouragement throughout my eight years in office as governor.”
Obaseki also extended condolences to the Osayande family, praying for strength to bear the loss.
Osayande died in the early hours of Sunday in Benin City, a day before his 89th birthday.
His death was confirmed by the president of the Immaculate Conception College Old Boys’ Association (ICCOBA) Worldwide, Ighodalo Edetanlen, in a statement.
The late DIG served as chairman of the PSC from 2008 to 2013, during which he oversaw the construction of the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Before then, he was DIG Operations and coordinated key assignments, including Nigeria’s participation in the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Namibia.
He also played roles in quelling religious crises in Bauchi in 1990 and Kano in 1991.
