Two years ago, I read in several newspapers of a three installment article entitled, “Nigerian Police: the most vilified and underrated.” I was taken aback because it is often very difficult if not impossible getting some of our writers extolling the qualities of our police men and women. After reading through that article, I was in fact overwhelmed to observe that there are still some Nigerians who hold our police in the very high esteem.
Today and constantly, we often hear of car-snatching, kidnapping, bank robberies etc. but when the police makes a daring and successful progress, we simply don’t hear it. Because, unfortunately, Nigerian journalists thrive in blowing up sensational stories that are likely to fetch good leadership. They highlight negative aspects of any news rather than its positive. For example, is it not of news-worthy for a paper to have as its headlines: “Police and armed robbers in a bloody shootout” than to have “Police foiled robbery attempt.” We don’t have to blame the reporters because of their training and the culture of journalism profession afterall, good news is no news at all.
Be that as it may, since the assumption of the current Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr. Mohammed Katsina in February this year, there appears to be a steady but progressive law enforcement taking place in the State. Although many have noticed it but only few people are talking of it. This is not a matter of vain glorification of the Police but stating the obvious. Perhaps, few examples may suffice.
It was not quite long he resumed duties that he led a team of crack squad to burst a baby-making home where about five girls all pregnant were housed waiting to deliver for the Mistress of the so called Maternity Home to put out those new born babies for sale after paying the young girls little maintenance fees and little for their babies. Unfortunately the “Mrs. Wonderwoman” eluded instant arrest. But that was for a short period because eventually she was apprehended.
The news for this baby factory took the nation and beyond in storm. Because, for the first time the public was made aware of such heinous crime being committed in our state, just few kilometers from the State Capital.
After that, within a week, the Imo State Command achieved another feat by the discovery of a well-preserved body of an elderly woman, said to have been carefully preserved by no other person than his own son, said to be a retired Principal. Another shocker. A son preserving his mother’s body in his own room for a long time. Indeed, the unkept and haggard looking pale man could not be said to be a
normal humanbeing.
Initially, many thought that those initial successes by the new CP was just a mere “new broom sweeping,” clean. But time proved that CP Katsina meant business with his men and women in uniform.
Since then, there have been so many sensitive criminal activities which the Command has uncovered. One of them was the existence of a Bogus University at Ogboko in Ideato South very close to the construction of European University, which apparently gave the Bogus University a cover of legitimacy. Unfortunately, the arrested Proprietor of the University tried to explain a way his criminality without success. But at least, most of those who have been lured into and deceived have been made aware of their pursuing a mere smoke in place of academic. There was also the case of the bursting of brewing industry on
Royce Road, where drinks and wines of all brands were being brewed to even look like the genuine ones including Moet, Brandy and Whisky of high looking quality. Wonders will never end indeed. There were several cases of foiled kidnapping attempts and the rescuing kidnapped persons without ransom paid.
Besides, without being afraid of criticism, it is on record that one of the major aspects of CP Katsina’s Operation is that he does not simply arrest and detain, no he instantly charge the suspects to court to face the process of law. For example, not quite long ago, the Command arrested the so called one hundred and eighty one “election’ mentors who were picked up in an Owerri Hotel according to them, “on their way to monitor election in Anambra State.”
There was the case of the arrest of the GM of OCDA, whom the police accused of being possession of illegal firearm and some substances suspected to be “Indian hemp.” Before the public knew it, the suspect had been charged to court.
Interestingly, the SA Media to the Governor of the State honestly misfired by attacking the police for their action. Of course the fearless Imo Command fired back, saying, “it does not need the permission of the Governor to arrest an accused or suspect.”
Although there are so many successes recorded by the current CP in crime-bursting in the State, without the knowledge of the Command, members of the public are taking note and have been commending the CP and his men.
Those who may not be comfortable with the successes of the CP may not be happy because, they would, like a non-performing CP so as to enable them be thriving in their wanton criminal activities. According to the CP, “criminals in the State must abandon their criminal activities or relocate.” Otherwise, they would find themselves behind bars. He has been doing everything to show that he can make the difference.
There is no doubt that the current CP in Imo State has proved to some members of the doubting public that one senior police officer at the Head of a number of Officers could do magic in crime prevention, control and crime bursting. It is a question of example and gallantry leadership.
Although there are so many assignments and other challenges to be confronted. These include the menacing propensity of hoodlungs at the round about of Onitsha-Port Harcourt Control Post. Many miscreants congregate them on daily basis to commit all sorts of heinous crime at any time of the day. They stay there, looking fiercely dangerous, with shot guns in their pockets and several wraps of grass in their pockets. They do bag snatching and picking pocketing and other kinds of pillgering. They do this at the glaring of members of the public. Sometimes, they are not scared of the presence of the police.
Similarly, another group of miscreants like the area boys in Lagos now stay at the junction of Douglas Road and Rotobi Street, robbing unsuspecting passengers of their belongings. Standing by as if they are good and innocent citizens, these young boys and some mature youths, do a lot of havoc. The police should factor these into their crime preventing plans.
Another, offshoot of the CP’s achievements is that throughout the night, police patrol teams parade steadily throughout every corner of the State Capital. The result of this intense monitoring and parading is that night murderers have been sent packing. One now hardly hear of someone’s house burglarized or so. Indeed, quite unlike before. Besides, Imo State Police Command achievements have also benefitted other neighbouring States because, many often, Imo State command has successfully carried out strategic crime bursting across the Imo borders.
Thus, the people of Imo State must stand up in support of the State Police Command to enable them do more. As the Police have often said, they cannot function without adequate and necessary cooperation from members of the public. This axiom is as valid today as ever.
