The former Inspector-General of Police, Tafa Mustapha Balogun, has passed away. He died on Thursday at about 8:30 p.m. in a hospital in Lekki, Lagos, after a brief illness.
Born on August 8, 1947, in Ila-Orangun, Osun State, Balogun built a remarkable career in the Nigeria Police Force. He graduated from the University of Lagos in 1972 with a degree in Political Science and joined the police the following year, in May 1973. While serving, he furthered his education and obtained a law degree from the University of Ibadan.
Balogun held several key positions throughout his career, including Principal Staff Officer to then–Inspector-General of Police Muhammadu Gambo. He later served as Deputy Commissioner of Police in Edo State and Commissioner of Police in Delta, Rivers, and Abia States. He eventually rose to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police in Zone 1, Kano.
He was appointed Inspector-General of Police on March 6, 2002, succeeding Musiliu Smith.
However, his tenure ended in controversy. On April 4, 2005, Balogun was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on allegations involving approximately N13 billion linked to money laundering, theft, and other offenses. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), led at the time by Nuhu Ribadu, filed 70 charges covering his period as IGP from 2002 to 2004.
Balogun entered a plea bargain, agreeing to return some money and properties. He was subsequently sentenced to six months in prison and was released on February 9, 2006, after completing his sentence, part of which was spent at the National Hospital, Abuja.
He is survived by family members and a legacy marked by both notable achievements and enduring controversy within Nigeria’s policing history.
