The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said Nigeria has lost a strong progressive voice in the former Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie.
Coomassie, the longest serving Inspector-General of Police, died on Thursday at the age of 76 in Katsina.
The APC said on Friday in a statement signed by Bolaji Abdullahi, the national publicity secretary that the party will miss Coomassie greatly.
“Our great Party extends condolences to his immediate family, Nigerian Police Force, Katsina Emirate, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), government and people of Katsina state. May Almighty Allah grant the late Ibrahim Coomassie eternal rest and his family and loved ones the strength to bear this great loss.
“The APC particularly hails the progressive role the late Ibrahim Coomassie played as Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF). He was a leading and influential voice who regularly highlighted the strategic importance of the country’s north within the larger Nigerian context and sought to correct the negative portrayal of the region.
“While we mourn his passage, we take pride that the late Ibrahim Coomassie who held traditional title of Sardaunan Katsina, lived an accomplished, exemplary and impactful life worthy of celebration and emulation.
“Even in death, we now have a collective duty to keep alive his struggle and campaign for a peaceful and secured country, particularly the northern regions,” the APC said.
President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President Bukola Saraki and Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State were the earliest persons who expressed shock and sadness over the death of Coomassie.
Coomassie’s younger brother of the deceased Dahiru confirmed the news of his death on Thursday in Katsina He said he died in the evening of Thursday at 76.
He was said to have been rushed to the Orthopedic Hospital in Katsina around 11 a.m. on Thursday for an undisclosed ailment but regained consciousness after an hour. He later gave up around 5 p.m.
His corpse was instantly brought to his residence in Katsina from the hospital, while his funeral rites were slated for Friday after Jumaat prayers at his mosque in GRA, a stone’s throw from his residence.
The deceased was survived by one wife, six children and many grandchildren.
While Masari lamented that Nigeria has lost one of the last patriots who served the nation with distinction, Buhari on his part, commiserated with the family, the government and people of Katsina State over his death, describing Coomassie as his classmate.
Buhari said he received news of Coomassie’s death with shock according to a statement by his meadia aide, Garba Shehu.
“Nigeria will never forget the excellent leadership the late Coomassie gave to the Nigeria Police Force for the many years he served as IG,” Buhari said.