Service is like a candle light; all eyes behold it while it shines and illuminates the surrounding. Eyes blink whenever it flippers and eyes are worried with disappointment when the candle light extinguishes. That is the simple life of every security personnel especially police officers in service to the society. All eye are on the police officer. The performance of a police officer is often like a seed. The way you plant it could determine how it would germinate and be harvested. The harvest could be unto shame, or of ovation and commendations.
In the history of the Nigeria Police, many officers have shamefully left the organisation and many more have left memorable footprints, great legacy. For the later type, many people have continued to remember their good deeds and wonderful services.
Nigerians are a people who appreciate good services especially in public office.
When l was reporting for the defunct National Concord newspaper, l wrote an article about a police traffic warden whose service at the Ikeja roundabout was very commendable – his cheerfulness, the smile that breaks out from him like a soothing balm to fatigued drivers. His dancing steps as he sang to himself while diligently and confidently carrying out his traffic duty could not go unnoticed. No sooner the story was published than appreciative members of the public started tracing him and blessing him with different gifts. This later earned him a promotion from the Commissioner of Police.
Today, it is a Police Commissioner that the people of Imo state are appreciating in a grand style. The name Taiwo Lakanu is known as a quintessential police office with a knack for operational activities. As the officer in-charge of the Lagos State Anti- robbery squad (SARS) Lakanu, even as a Lawyer, did not allow his police disposition to overshadow his judgment while handling robbery cases. He balances his professional activities based on human rights requirement and the fear of God. His milk of human kindness flows towards both the complainant and even on suspects that are being denied justice.
On September 2, 2015, former Inspector General of police, Mr Solomon Arase noting the high rate of crime in Imo state, decided to remove Lakanu from Ekiti state where his records were soaring. He was posted to Imo state as the 31st Commissioner of Police. Many had thought it was a harsh action, not knowing that it was to further exhibit Lakanu’s operational prowess and ability as a master strategist. In no time, CP Lakanu’s professionalism was felt throughout the length and breadth of the state. He frontally confronted all the festering faces of crime in Imo State – kidnappers, armed robbers, cultism, child stealing and human traffickers.
Police men serving in Imo became more motivated due to his leadership qualities and the people and the government noticed the extraordinary police officer who took joy in ensuring that criminals operating in and around his area of jurisdiction were tracked down. Unknown to Lakanu, the state executive, traditional rulers in the state and other sister agencies and private bodies were all taking note of his efficient operational moves and activities. When the day came on April 3, 2017, few days to his posting away from the state to resume at the Force headquarters, the Governor of the State assembled all the who is who in the state at an evening occasion and disclosed the sweetness of service to Mr. Lakanu and other security officers at the occasion.
A bewildered Commissioner of Police, Lakanu with mouth agape, could not believe his ears and eyes when Governor Rochas Okorocha described him as an exemplary officer who came to the state and worked in collaboration with the people to achieve huge success in the area of security. Said the governor: “He came, he saw, and he conquered”, adding “l want to thank you for the services you rendered to the people of lmo state. What made you outstanding is because your job comes first before money. Your success came because money never counted in your willingness to succeed in your service to the people”
Lakanu who had thought that the occasion was going to be a normal political praise evening, was further dazzled when the governor started first with the naming of a road behind the police headquarter, Owerri, after him. He also gave him a choice land at Shell-camp worth 25 million Naira, plus five million Naira cash and asked him to name any part of lmo state he would want to live after retirement. As if that was not enough, traditional rulers also took their turn to crown him with chieftaincy titles. The governor also promised to award him with the prestigious lmo Merit Award.
Indeed, lessons abound in the security marriage between Lakanu a Yoruba man and an officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who was posted to another ethnic group and he performed creditably well to the extent that he left the state with a basket full of gifts and memorable awards. Another lesson stirring at officers posted to areas that are not theirs should be an opportunity to exhibit the oneness of being a Nigerian. Officers should always see every of their postings as a national call not only to duty but to wholeheartedly serve the country and its citizenry . It is a lesson depicting the major essence of nigerianess , which is our oneness.
This is the police officer the country yearns for; the type of police officer any government with a zero tolerance for criminality would always embrace and celebrate. An officer made of stainer stuff, a good manager of people and a good example of the slogan” police is your friend” A detribalised police officer who whose promotion to the enviable rank of Assistant Inspector General of police (AlG) was announc d by the police service commission on Monday as this writer was concluding this write-up . It is such merited promotion that its sweetness is like the honey dripping from a honey comb. Many have been so elevated and they cannot substantiate nor explain how it landed on their shoulder reason being that it was a lobbied product. But those like Lakanu who worked for it can beat their chest and live up to every of its demands and challenges. Truly there is sweetness in good service to the people.
SECURITY FILE commends Lakanu and wishes him the best in the service to the nation.
FROM MY MAIL BOX
Mr. Ben, your write up about Sambisa Forest (1&2) gave me a clear knowledge about the forest. Your descriptive ability helped to make me appreciate the great job our soldiers did to snatch Borno state away from the grip of the Boko Haram boys. May l suggest to the federal government to convert that forest into an international training ground for our great soldiers and part for mechanised farming to feed the nation and for export.
Olishin Abubang, 0704219039.