Nigeria Mourns As Former PSC Chairman, DIG Parry Osayande, Passes On

Former Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Parry Brimah Osayande, has died. He reportedly passed away in the early hours of Sunday at a hospital in Benin City, surrounded by his family. The revered police officer would have marked his 89th birthday on Monday.

His death was confirmed in a statement by the President of the Immaculate Conception College Old Boys’ Association (ICCOBA) Worldwide, Ighodalo Edetanlen, on Sunday afternoon.

Osayande, who chaired the Police Service Commission between 2008 and 2013, played a central role in the establishment of the commission’s present headquarters in Abuja. During his tenure, he became widely admired for his courage, integrity, and uncompromising stance in pushing for reforms within the Nigerian Police.

Before retiring, he served as Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations, where he oversaw several strategic assignments, including Nigeria’s participation in the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Namibia, led by retired AIG Ifejika.

One of his closest aides, former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni (rtd), paid an emotional tribute, describing him as a towering figure. “A big and mighty Iroko Tree has fallen. Indeed, the quality of humanity has been diminished. The famous Nigerian super cop, DIG Parry Osayande (rtd), has gone into eternal rest. Farewell, Baba!!!” Owoseni wrote.

Owoseni, who once served as Osayande’s Personal Assistant, praised him as a courageous and principled leader who never compromised on the truth. He recalled that Osayande personally oversaw the construction of the PSC office in Abuja, which was first occupied by late Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase. Both men, prominent sons of Benin, passed away on a Sunday—Arase at 69, and Osayande a day shy of his 89th birthday.

Osayande’s policing legacy extended far beyond administration. As Commissioner of Police in Bendel State, he led the celebrated operation that resulted in the capture of Nigeria’s most notorious armed robber, Lawrence Anini, in 1986. He also played decisive roles in quelling major religious uprisings in Bauchi (1990) and Kano (1991), further cementing his reputation as a fearless and effective officer.

Owoseni described him as “blunt and transparent to a fault, exceptionally brilliant,” adding: “I doubt if the Nigeria Police Force ever produced an operationally sound officer of his ilk, except perhaps late DIG John Haruna, his closest friend who died in the Jos police aircraft crash. The power of his pen and command of words were scholastic. He was imposing in deeds and in person. His passion for the Police and to make it a civilised Force is unmatched.”

A Benin prince, Osayande combined royal heritage with a cosmopolitan outlook and was respected nationwide for his honesty, brilliance, and unwavering principles. His passing, according to colleagues, marks the end of an era for Nigeria’s policing history.

For his distinguished service to the nation, Osayande was honoured with national titles, including Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).