IGP, Dar residents bid farewell to RPC Barlownews

Inspector General of Police Said Mwema consoles Stella Liberatus Barlow, widow of slain Mwanza Regional Police Commander Liberatus Barlow at the deceased�s Ukonga-Sabasaba residence in Dar es Salaam yesterday. The body is expected to be flown to the late RPC�s home village in Moshi today for burial later in the day. (Photo: Omar Fungo)

The Inspector General of Police IGP Said Mwema yesterday led hundreds of mourners in Dar es Salaam to pay last respects to the Mwanza Regional Police Commander (RPC) Liberatus Barlow who was shot and killed by unknown people on Saturday night at Kitangiri area in the region.

The body of Barlow was flown to Dar es Salaam from Mwanza and taken to his family compound located in Ukonga, on the outskirt of Dar es Salaam. The body was then taken to Ukonga Roman Catholic Church for prayers before mourners paid their last respects.

Addressing the gathering the Inspector General of Police who was accompanied by regional police commanders and other high ranking police officers said the force will not retreat in the fight against criminals.

He called on wananchi to be patient while the responsible organ was addressing the matter.

“The commander was our friend. The police force has already launched investigation into the crime,” he said.

On Monday in Mwanza the Director for Criminal Investigation DCI Robert Manumba vowed that the police will not rest until the killers were brought to justice.

Faustine Shilogile, Morogoro Region Police Commander told The Guardian that the police force had lost a strong fighter who was ready to perform duties at any time.

He explained the late Barlow was a very committed officer who gave value and respect to his assignments.

For his part, Temeke Regional police Commander, Daud Misime said the police will follow ideals of the late Barlow, which were commitment to work.

The DCI called on the law-abiding citizens to participate fully in the war against crime, adding that criminals can attack anybody regardless of their ethnic, religious background or positions in society as it happened to the late Barlow, a senior officer in the police.

The late Barlow worked tirelessly to contain armed robbery, illegal fishing on Lake Victoria, drug trafficking and the killings of albinos in the region, he said.

The body of the late Barlow will be flown to Moshi today for burial.

The late Barlow was born on December 26, 1960 at Kou village in Moshi Rural District, Kilimanjaro Region.

He joined the Police Force in 1987 after graduating from the University of Dar es Salaam.

During his lifetime, Barlow served as regional police commander in a number of places including Mara, Tabora and Mwanza regions.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN