Former DIG Parry Osayande Dies a Day to 89th Birthday

Retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Parry Benjamin Osemwegie Osayande, has passed away in Benin City, just one day before his 89th birthday.

His death was confirmed in a condolence statement by the Immaculate Conception College Old Boys’ Association (ICCOBA), where he was remembered as an “exemplary old boy” of the institution.

“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,” ICCOBA Worldwide President, Ighodalo Edetanlen, stated on behalf of the National Executive Committee and members.

Born on September 29, 1936, in Benin City, Osayande attended Immaculate Conception College before joining the Nigeria Police Force in 1960 as a cadet inspector. His career took him through some of the world’s most prestigious training institutions, including the Police Staff College, Bramshill, and the Metropolitan Police College, Hendon, in England.

He rose steadily through the ranks, serving as Commissioner of Police in Bendel (now Edo and Delta), Benue, and Cross River States, before attaining the rank of Deputy Inspector General in 1990. He retired from the Force in 1992.

Osayande is best remembered for leading the crackdown on notorious armed robber Lawrence Anini in the 1980s and for coordinating 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 the Police Service Commission from 2008 to 2013 during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

In recognition of his service, he received several 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 passing, ICCOBA called on members and the public to keep his family in their prayers.(NAN)