By Ahmed Ajikobi
Family of a police officer, Sgt. Kabeer Babatunde who was killed
recently during a robbery attack at the Ilorin NNPC Mega Station, Asa
Dam area have decried the failure of the leadership of the Nigeria
Police Force to pay them a condolence visit.
Speaking during a visit by our reporter to the residence of parents of
the deceased at Katsina Street, Egbejila area, Ilorin last Thursday,
his 89-year-old father, Iliaz Babatunde said he almost fainted when
he heard about Kabeer’s death but for the timely intervention of his
other sons.
“Initially I was told he was lying ill at a hospital but I could not
go to the said hospital to check on him because I have lost my sight.
However, one of his elder brothers later told me the truth.
“It is so sad that as we speak no representative of the Nigeria Police
Force has paid us a condolence visit since my son’s demise despite
serving the Force for 15 years.”
“Kabeer supported the family with the little he had but the armed
robbers took him away from us. I leave the culprits to God and I hope
they will one day meet their own judgement soon,” he lamented.
The bereaved father however appreciated the Kwara State Governor,
Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and officials of the NNPC for their
visits and for identifying with the family at such a difficult period.
“The Governor came to console us that my son’s death came from Allah,
adding that it had been destined he was going to be killed.”
Babatunde however pleaded to Governor to assist the family on the
deceased’s children’s education, adding that the family will be happy
if Kabeer’s offsprings are awarded scholarships.
Similarly, his 73-year-old mother, Mrs Nike Babatunde described her
son as loving and caring adding that the slain officer was very close
to her being the last child of the family.
“Kabeer was a gentleman and the easy going type. He derived joy in
helping people and my son does not play with his five daily prayers
and midnight prayers.”
Speaking further, she said, “I was expecting him on Sunday morning to
give us feeding allowance to buy foodstuff only for his wife to call
that her husband is yet to return home from work. She was wondering if
her husband was at my place as she could not reach him on his mobile
phone.
“When the call came in, I was about going to Church and as soon as I
got there, other members of the congregation joined me in prayer
unknown to me that my son had been killed.
“Since the day I received the bad news, I have been telling God every
seconds that whoever is involved in the killing of my son should be
exposed and face judgement from God.”
Continuing, she said, “My son promised to give us money to buy
foodstuff and pocket money that was what we were expecting but we
received news of his death instead. It was around 4 pm when we were
informed about his death.”
Also speaking, the elder brother of the late police officer, Mr
Taofeeq Babatunde said, “I brought him up and he was with me for more
than 10 years till he graduated from the University of Ilorin where he
studied Sociology before joining the police.
“He served at A division Area Command office and contributed immensely
to the family.
“About a week to his death, I called and told him it’s has been awhile
I heard his voice and he apologised saying that he was very busy at
work. He later called me twice and promised we are going to meet later
not knowing he was speaking in parables. ”
When our reporter visited the late police officer’s residence at
Eyenkorin, his widow (wife) who spoke in emotion laden voice said, “My
husband always return from work anytime from 6am and I was expecting
him to return early having promised to personally pound yam for his
son’s birthday.
“I called my mother in-law to ascetain whether my husband was with her
but mama said she had not seen him.
“I left home around 9am to NNPC mega station and on getting there they
asked me to go to police headquarters. On getting there, I was not
allowed to enter and one of the officers told me that they were yet to
receive any information of missing police. They asked me to go back to
the mega station. I went to A division and they later broke the news
to me around 4pm.”
Speaking further, she said the deceased promised to mark his son’s
birthday on the day (Sunday) that he was killed.
“My husband said he will personally pound yam that everyone will eat
for the celebration and we were both happy till we departed. During
our discussion, he told me that I should use my salary to buy
foodstuff and that he will use his own salary to complete our house
project which he has been building for the past six years. In order to
be able to achieve the task, he said we should stop having children. ”
She lamented that her husband was to resume at his new post – Bode
Saadu Police Station on the same day (Sunday) that he was killed.
She however pleaded with the Commissioner of Police, Kayode Egbetokun
to assist the family by facilitating the quick release of her
husband’s entitlement.
On his part, the Assistant Manager of NNPC, David Atolagbe described
the deceased as a diligent officer who does not joke with his job.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Kwara State
Police Command, DSP Ajayi Okasanmi said the Command did not pay the
family of Kabeer condolence visit because all the police officers in
the state are mourning one of their own.
“He (Kabeer) was one of our active officers. He died while performing
his lawful duty. The Kwara Police Command too is mourning him because
we have lost one of us and his death is a great loss. We are also
expecting people to pay us condolence visit.”
Speaking on his entitlements, he said every police officer that dies
on duty deserves certain entitlements which will be given to the
family after due process.
“Entitlements need due process which normally takes sometime before
the police can release it. It is not what can be done within a week.
The police is investigating his death and the entitlements will be
given to the family after the whole process,” he submitted.
