Buhari, Masari Mourn Coomassie
BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled the family, government and people of Katsina State over the demise of his classmate and former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie.
Coomassie died on Thursday at the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Katsina after a protracted illness at the age 76.
According to the Force Headquarters, the late Commassie will be buried in his hometown Katsina on Friday after the Jumat prayers.
President Buhari expressed shock and deep sense of loss at the death of Coomassie, who was the Chairman, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF).
Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Malam Garba Shehu, conveyed the condolence message in a statement on Thursday; saying; “Nigeria will never forget the excellent leadership the late Coomassie gave to the Nigeria Police Force during the many years he served as IG.”
He said his thoughts were with late Ibrahim Coomassie’s family and those mourning the demise of the late community leader and fine gentleman.
“On behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, I pray to Allah to receive his soul and grant the family he left behind the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” the President said.
Also in his condolence message, Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State expressed profound sadness over Coomassie’s death.
Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Alhaji Abdu Labaran on Thursday in Katsina, Governor Masari said that; “Nigeria has lost one of its last standing patriots who served the nation with distinction.”
According to the governor; “The former IG was a highly patriotic, disciplined, reliable and committed Nigerian whose invaluable counsel will be seriously missed by Katsina State, Northern Nigeria and the nation in general.
“Katsina State has lost a son that everybody was proud to be associated with.”
Governor Masari decribed him as ‘a true patriot’ who had little time for anything other than pursuing the advancement of Nigeria’s interest at all times.
He noted that “Whatever assignments he was given he pursued it with a messianic zeal that will only abate with success”, adding that the late IGP; has left a vacuum that will take time to fill.
Governor Masari, while condoling the Emir of Katsina and the immediate family of the deceased, expressed the hope that other leaders will strive to emulate the late Coomassie
