The avalanche of response was over whelming and many attested that SECURITY FILE choice of these super great cops was appropriate and commendable. These men and woman Police Commissioners, Fatai Owoseni of Lagos State, Leye Oyebade of Abia Sate, Bashir Makamma of Benue state, Sam Okaula of Anambra state, Taiwo Lakanu of Imo State, Mrs Peace Ibekwe Hamdallah of Ebonyi State and Bolaji Odesanya of River State are officers with unique characters which they had over the years built in the course of their policing carrier.
Crime journalists who have closely observed them spoke glowingly of their professionalism. For instance, when Lakano was in charge of the Lagos State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), he reversed the unprofessional method used by officers in obtaining confessional statement from arrested robbers. Here is a born Yoruba officer posted to Imo State and Governor Rochas Okorocha and the people of the state held him in very high esteem for what they described as his “unparalleled Profesionalism” a top aide of the Governor told this writer that the Governor loves to describe him as “ Imo State Security messiah”. What an appreciative commendation and accolade.
Lakano has foiled many bank robberies and kidnap operations since his posting to the State. Imo is peaceful today because of his doggedness in fighting criminals. Same with Leye Oyebade ,another Yoruba officer who since his posting to Abia State has topped the performance chat of past commissioners in the State in operational strategy and activities. No wonder, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu asked him to shoulder the responsibility as Chairman of the Famers/ Herdsmen committee. Oyebade has arrested over 50 robbers and 40 kidnappers all over Abia State not to mention his foiling of robbery and kidnapping operations since his posting to the State. Effective Police leadership is hinged on the strict supervisory disposition of the Commissioner.
Once policemen discover that their supervising officer is weak, a loophole is created and policing becomes ineffective and criminals and criminality would blossom in the State. This is one reason these commissioners have our thumb -up commendation. As a woman and mother, Mrs Hamdallah has shown the leadership qualities that need to be emulated by junior female police officers. A quality that is presently very scarce in the Police force. Journalists in the state describe her as a thorough breed and tough Police officer adding that she is a Lioness. Madam Peace as she is commonly called has the knack in resolving disputes and going after criminals up to their hideouts.
A bold move that has made many criminals take flight to neighboring states. The selection of the seven officers took cognizance of every aspect of policing like their ability to supervise their subordinates and officers and men under their command. It was observed that these commissioners criss cross the vast terrain of their states physically and via radio communication ,supervising their Area Commanders and Divisional Police officers (DPO) like an Eagle.
Odesanya of Rivers State is an indefatigable crime fighter who like his colleagues hardly sleep. Interestingly all the listed commissioners hardly switch off their phones, this writer placed calls to all the officers last weekend around 12 midnight and surprisingly they all picked without knowing who the caller was . But the call to the Inspector-General of police at the same time bounced back with a message that said” your call is being forwarded”and it later announced that the phone is switched off”. These officers fully understand what communication is all about in modern day policing.
With communication, fighting crime becomes much less cumbersome and it helps members of the public to freely pass information to the police. It is on record that most notorious criminals recently apprehended was due to tangible information received by the Police from members of the public. A good police officer never switch off his or her telephone set reason being that policing is a round the clock profession. Take the cases of Makammah of Benue State and Odesanya of Rivers State. The posting of Bashir Makammah to Benue State has turned out to be a blessing to the State in disguise.
It has turned out to be the anti-dote to Cow rustling and vandalism by Fulani Herdsmen who sporadically killed innocent villagers in Benue State. The Governor who before Makammah’s posting was having sleepless nights became comforted despite all the security efforts on ground, Makammah became the brain box the Governor is presently using to solve the riddle behind the Herdsmen palaver. Makammah did not stop there, he continued to also battle robbers and other criminals with his ever willing ground officers with noticeable results. Here is a state in abundance of top retired military and police officers and many of them are applauding his effort so far, describing him as a “ damn good police officer”
Very impressive commendation. On his part, Bolaji Odesanya another Yoruba Commissioner has attenuated since he stepped into Rivers State due to hard work. While the criminals are giving him sleepless night, he also is giving them sleepless night. He is in between a Governor that wants his total loyalty and ravaging criminals like killer kidnappers, dangerous, heartless armed robbers and unrepentant cult members. His display of wisdom and professionalism especially when the Directorate of Security Service ( DSS) carried out a stunt operation at the homes of Judges in the State paid off. Odesanya is a smart officer who has combined the swift articulation of a Policeman and bravery of his predecessor Chris Ezike whenever issues that put him in a tight political corner rear up their head. It is based on their patriotic professional disposition which despite the harsh economic downturn in the country, that these men and women have continued to carry the touch of good works for everyone to see in their respective State of command. As the country enters a new year, institutions like the Police should have men and women that can be the bastion of hope that up coming officers would use as their standard of professionalism. It is this professionalism that is gradually eroding from the ranks and file of the police. When there is dearth of Professionalism in an institution like the police, the country suffers and the people are exposed to high risk of insecurity. The essence of showcasing these officers is to assist in encouraging men and women who have continued to persevere against all odds and are passionately serving the country, yet the country thinks less of their services to humanity.
•Concluded
MOST OUTSTANDING POLICE COMMISSIONERS OF THE YEAR 2016(1)
The Police is a profession of service, performance , dedication, patriotism and integrity. Performance speaks for the officer each time he or she is involved in the act of policing . Many who got either recruited into the lower ranks or enlisted as officers leave indelible marks where they have served as police officer while others are anathema to themselves and the institution they belong. . Policing can be described as one ‘hell’ of a job considering a terrain like Nigeria where the society is not too friendly and the members of the society make hate comments about the men in uniform except when they need their services. However ,the story is not so gloomy because while many officers have dents either due to their own selfishness or based on societal dislike, many have also received commendations and awards for great performances. Life is all about performances base on integrity. It is either your performance is not well noticed by your constituency or that it is appreciated by members of the public that have been watching every of your daily actions. Like every student, there is a day for evaluation of performances by way of examination . Same with Policemen whom their superiors access and write reports on their performances. It is in this light that SECURITY FILE considered it very appropriate not to only appreciate but place on record the outstanding performances of some serving police commissioners incharge of state commands across the country. Subsequently , a survey was carried out and questionnaires sent out by this writer and many practicing and retired security practitioners including security cum crime writers were interviewed . At the end, the names of these seven police commissioners resonated in all the lists sent in. Fatai Owoseni of Lagos State, Leye Oyebade of Abia Sate, Bashir Makamma of Benue state, Sam Okaula of Anambra state, Taiwo Lakanu of Imo State, Mrs Peace Ibekwe Hamdallah of Ebonyi State and Bolaji Odesanya of River State. These seven police officers have gallantly exhibited traits of dedication, patriotism and outstanding integrity. They have stood up for justice and strictly adhered to global policing standards by upholding human rights of every arrested suspect and with zero tolerance for corruption. These commissioners, have sacrificed their sleep to ensure safety and peaceful enviroment for the people . They have tasked their brain to device strategies to confront kidnappers , Cult members, robbers and other criminals in their states. Each of the commissioners has a long list of achievements that stand out as a testimonial . Some of them are oblivious of the media but believe in doing their job to serve the society. It is high time that the Police authority should create a platform to appreciate officers like these and openly commend them before members of the society. Each of their achievements since their posting has been from one operational success to another.
A classical example is that of Farai Owoseni who entered Lagos State like a new “Cork” that was not accepted by the Lagos media but after few weeks stunned everyone like one of his predecessor Marvel Akpoyobo ,with his accurate precession in crime fighting. At the last count, three of his deputies were promoted to the next rank, a feat that is uncommon in the history of the police. This is very impressive. All the criminal cases his command have foiled are front page news in the state. The only woman commissioner, Mrs Hamdalah, a sound intelligence officer , was the first female officer to be incharge of the IGP monitoring team and a known investigation officer at Alagbon, has been stinging criminals in Eboyin State without looking back. The truth is that, though crime may occur, but the swiftness and operational accuracy in tackling and getting result makes members of the public to nod their heads in appreciation. It is observed that over 80percent of all police achievements never get mentioned or see the light of the day in newspapers or the electronic media. Commissioners like Sam Okaula of Anambra State and Bolaji Odesanya of Rivers State have not left anyone in doubt of what stuff they are made up off. Like Okaula, who stormed the hideout of robbers in Anambra state few days of his stepping his foot on the soil . Okaula, a no nonsense police officer and former officer incharge of the Ikeja Special Anti robbery squad( SARS) , make his mark in Kwara before his posting to Anambra State. Today, the fear of Commissioners like Okaula and Taiwo Lakanu is the beginning of wisdom for criminals operating in these states. Lakanu is known since his hey days as the Area commander of “ notorious” Area ‘F’ command in Lagos. You know a good commissioner by his humility and action packed disposition. You know a good commissioner by his exposure and integrity. The story was told of Lagos State Commissioner Owoseni, who stopped his convoy and helped an accident victim on his way to his office. The story was also told of Mrs Hamdalah who provided succor for a robbery victim and went all out for the suspect. All the commissioners listed have wonderfully exhibited exemplary traits as officers who fear God and love humanity. These officers have become shinning lights and examples to their subordinates in all ramifications. While researching on them, it was discovered that they all exhibited characters of focused and passionate officers not withstanding the state they are commanding. For instance, Mr Bashir Makamma who is hundred days in officer as the Commissioner of police in Benue State, has been described as one doing a yo mans job in curbing the menace of Heardsmen in the State. A retired commissioner of Police Mr Abubakar Tsav described him thus” He was posted after the Herdsmen invasion of Agatu village and other volatile areas of the State, since his arrival, he has not rested but has been doing marvelously well. Today the State is calm all because of his strategies”. ( To be continued)
TEARS OF A GENERAL. !!!
Last Monday turned out to be a very sad and unfortunate day for the entire nation but most especially for the Nigerian Army and the Commander – in – chief of the Armed Forces and the Army Chief Lieutenant General Tukur Brutatai. The death of amiable , refined and dedicated officer, Lieutenant Colonel Muhammed Ali Abu who was a commanding officer of 272 Task Force Tank Battalion and six other soldiers was indeed a hard blow to the country. His funeral was not only emotional but pathetically moving and climaxed when General Bratatai started reading his funeral oration at the grave side of the fallen gallant heroes. As he praised the dead soldiers, his countenance changed and all eyes were on him. Here is a General known to be made of stainer-stuff, a General who has been to many war fronts locally and internationally, a General who has seen soldiers fall to bullet shots and armored shelling ,could not but break down in tears showing that afterall, he is a man with human feeling. The scene resembled when Jesus went to see his friend Lazarus who had died few days. When he arrived at the grave site, he took a grieving deep look at the decomposing body and before the onlookers, the Bible recorded that “ Jesus wept”. And so, Brurarai wept for his friend and one of his Battalion commander. The prize of patriotism.