SECRETS OF MY SUCCESS AS POLICEMAN
*****For joining the Police, my father once
regretted wasting time and money training me in the university
Since his retirement from Nigeria
Police Force where he still ranks as one of the most erudite Nigerian IGPs with
many academic laurels in his kitty, former Inspector General of Police and
former Chairman Police services commission Sir (Dr.) Mike Mbamaonyeukwu Okiro
has never sat down to relieve his life as he has done here in this chat with
FRED IWENJORA.
How can you describe
life after your retirement from active police service?
It has been an interesting
experience after going through the hustle and bustle of life as a police
officer and now retired and home probably on your own doing your own things and
managing your own affairs waking up when you like or going to bed when you want
as compared to the life as a police officer when you had to be up on your toes
ready to obey the last orders, carry out duties, going for operations etc. You
leave for work in the morning not knowing when you would return. As a police
officer, you really don’t have time for yourself or family. You only have time
for others, your job and duty. There is a wide range of difference between the
two callings. I am very grateful that I served my country and left without
blemish and in that manner; I equally served myself and very well.
Considering events
between your point of entry into the force and departure, you must be feeling
highly favoured…?
I feel very highly favoured and
grateful to God. My gratitude knows no bounds. If you read my biography you
will read where I wrote about my calling into the police, my service and
retirement. I never expected things that way and never did any one expect it
that way apart from those who have absolute faith in Almighty God. What I went
through beforerecruitment, during recruitment, to my training, to service in
the Force and to IGP and to retirement are things of which I must be grateful
to God. I look at myself as highly favoured by God so I thank God; so much for
that.
Could you refresh the
readers mind as to issues surrounding your point of entry into the force
because most have not read your biography?
For the purposes of time
constrain, I will just make it as brief as possible. I joined the police ..do I say by choice or by providence? To
start with, I did not like the police as a students’ union activist. Even after
Youth service I still did not like the police. Should I say I joined the Police
by adventure? It is a long story.
You may have to make it
short sir….
During my youth service which I
did at Maiduguri in 1976/77, journey from Maiduguri to Port Harcourt took four
days. One had to first travel to Jos with the North East line in one day. From
Jos, one did the Benue Plateau Transport to Onitsha for another day before
boarding to Owerri by Oriental Line in another day. It was on the fourth day
that you got to Port Harcourt with the Rivers State Transport Corporation. A
corps member was entitled to only a five days’ pass. So one could not take a
five days pass for a four days one- way journey. So I did not take a pass in
one year and was totally disconnected from my parents and siblings in Port
Harcourt coupled with the fact that there were no telephones only telegrams
atimes. This worried me much. While brooding about my situation, I saw an
advert on Daily Times calling for young graduates to join the police force. A
friend of mine even told of how his brother was taken in a flight from Kano
where he was serving to attend Police recruitment in Lagos. I reasoned that if
they would fly me to Lagos, I might quickly dash to Port Harcourt to see my
parents and siblings as the journey would be shorter. About 30 of us applied
but only four of us were invited for interview in Lagos. The police sent a
Peugeot station wagon driven by an inspector with two armed escorts as there
was no airport in Maiduguri in those days. After the interview in Lagos, I was
the only one taken. I told the Inspector that I wanted to travel to Port
Harcourt to see my parents but he said no way. His instruction was to take us
to Lagos and returnto Maiduguri. I told him I was not asking for money for my
fare to Port Harcourt but capital NO was his answer as he was acting on
orders. I wallowed in the thoughts that I had wasted my time going to
Lagos. I did not enjoy the return journey to Maiduguri.
By the end of my NYSC, I had
about seven jobs waiting for me including the job at the Federal Ministry of
Education as lecturer 2 having studied English at the University of Ibadan, a
job at the Customs also waited for me, just as the University of Port Harcourt
kept a graduate Assistant job for me. That was not all; the Rivers State Civil
Service wanted me, the School of Basic Studies Maiduguri wanted me as a
lecturer.
Aside these, I also had a place
at the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation publishers of The Tide in the
Features Department where I had been contributing while still an undergraduate
and then this police job.
I was in serious consideration
of which job to take. The School of Basic Studies Maiduguri was the highest
paid. I was to be placed on level 9 while at the Rivers State Civil Service, I
was to be placed on level 8 step 2.
All these jobs were to begin
September 4th after the passing out from national service. I
was on the move home to Port Harcourt through Jos as service terminated. This
time I decided to see my old childhood friend and sleep on a bed rather than
wait around at the garage at Jos with the intention of catching the 6; 00 am bus
to Onitsha. But alas, I overslept and got to the park so late that the bus had
gone without me. I then decided to while away the time touring the Tin
city. One of the notable places I chose to visit was the Police staff college
which was just about then recently completed. News about the college filtered
when I was selected for the police training I did not care about. When I
arrived at the college, shouts of Okiro..Okiro rent the air. I wondered who
knew me at the college despite that I was a student activist at UI. It was
congratulations all the way as some members of the course 5 had seen my name on
the board as potential police officers of course 6 asking when I was coming to
join them in training. I told them I was not coming anyway. It was about 26th
of August and I knew that before I completed my three days journey to Port
Harcourt and enjoyed a vacation, it would have been late to join the training.
Yet they called the training officer to intimate him of my presence pleading
that he gave me time to report since I might not be able to report on the 1st of
September. I told the officer I would return on the 9th. He made me
put it in writing and the Commandant approved. I told myself while signing that
letter; nonsense and ingredient (general laughter). When I
returned to my friend’s house I told him what had transpired and why I would
not join the police. I caught the bus next day and was with my parents enjoying
a vacation with the intention of joining the Tide or Rivers State Civil Service.
When my father asked me what next, there was no mention of the police because
he would scream. He loved me to join the Rivers State Civil Service in the hope
that I would one day make it to the Perm Sec position by the special grace of
God.While reveling in P.H, a friend of mine visited me and asked me about my
job offers and what I planned next. I told him all that were on my table
including the police offer and he shouted ‘how manage?!. He said he had tried
the police more than three times and no one looked his way wondering whom I
knew that helped me secure the offer. He told me police was his best choice of
all the offers open to me. I became more confused after he left and started
asking ‘God what do I do?’ It was then I took pieces of paper and wrote all the
offers, squeezed them and told myself that the first I pick would be it. I
picked up my Rosary and knelt down in prayers asking for God to help my choice
and give me the best. I closed my eyes and picked one of the folded papers.
Behold, the first I picked and unwrapped was the police so I said God has
chosen a career for me. I quickly packed my bag and told my mum on the next day
that I was off to Jos to join the police. She said Ok. On the day I traveled,
my dad was entertaining his guests and perhaps was too busy to understand what
I was thinking on that day, he said ‘safe journey’. I arrived Jos 19th of
September, a whole nineteen days after my mates had resumed course and ten days
later than I had applied for permission. Again, when I arrived, resumed, no one
said you are late. All these make me feel my joining the police was divine
choice made for me by God.
The drama did not end there. It
continued about a week after when the course officer came to class one day to
announce ‘who is Mike Okiro?’ I answered and he marshalled me to his office and
started a series of interviews on my personal data which I told him to see in
my file. He later pulled his drawers to hand to me, a telegram announcing that
my dad was seriously sick and that I should proceed home immediately. My mind
started going places. ‘Has my father died?’ In my area and in many parts of
Africa, it is normal not to announce death directly. My course officer told me
to apply for casual leave. I did. However when I got back to the hostel,
Ipulled out the telegram again and read it thoroughly..’father seriously sick
proceed immediately signed Samuel Okiro. I wondered that a dead man could not
sign any telegram. Confusion reigned on that day that I went straight to my
friend in Jos to announce how I felt. He opted to travel with me to Port
Harcourt. When we arrived P.H we met my father hale and hearty and chatting and
drinking with his friends as usual. I greeted him and asked about my mother
whom he said was at the kitchen. When I went to meet her at the kitchen, she
said ‘your father is not happy with you for joining the police. It was then I
got the message clearly. I went to join my friend and we went to town and
returned very late in the evening.
As soon as we returned, my
father ordered me to ‘Sit down’
‘So you joined the police?’ I
said ‘yes sir’. Continuing he said ‘Is that what we discussed and agreed upon?’
I did not know what to say. I was tongue tied. He said ‘if you knew you were
going to join the police, you should not have allowed me to waste my time and
money to train you in the university. I can disclaim you right away’ he
thundered. I summoned up courage and told him ‘sir, I am your son, I listen and
obey your instructions but there are two things you should concede to me’. He said
‘what are they?’. I said one is the woman I marry and the second is the job I
choose to do. These choices are solely mine, I told him. He kept quiet for
sometime and later went to bed. But he woke me up again at about 5 am. He told
me he had thought over our discussions the previous night and realized that his
son had become mature to face the world. He said I should kneel down for his
prayers if it is the police I love to join. I knelt down and he prayed for me.
After I had said Amen, we left for Jos, my friend and I and I continued with my
training.
What do you consider as
your greatest challenge on the job?
My greatest challenge on the job
was when I was transferred from Benue state to Lagos as Commissioner of Police.
In this area I also see confirmation that God chose the job for me. I had not
spent a few weeks in Makurdi before the IGP Musliu Smith moved me to Lagos. I
arrived Lagos August 2, 1999. By the end of that same August, I got info that
Late head of state SaniAbacha’s son Mohammed, Major Al Mustapha and co were to
appear in court in Lagos for the death of KudiratAbiola. Some press friends had
called me to confirm the story. I said it was not true because I had no
directive to that effect. After all I was CP and should know before any one. By
the next morning I saw on television that the Igbosere court area had been
overrun by militant OPC who were threatening to burn the accused suspects
whenever they appeared in Lagos. I saw men with cudgels, others with knives and
machetes as well as other dangerous weapons including petrol preparatory to
lynch the suspects when they came to court. At about 9pm the IGP called me to
give directives that I should provide security for the men when they came to
court the next day in Lagos. Wow. I did not have manpower in Lagos, I didn’t
have weapons and more so, I just arrived. There were no vehicles, no teargas,
nothing. How do I handle this? If I needed reinforcement, it would only come
from Ogun state or Oyo. How could I get people at Abeokuta or Ibadan at so late
a time as 9 pm. If I had manpower, how many people would I kill at Igbosereif
the Black Maria was attacked? With the scene I saw on televison at Igbosere, it
is possible, the suspects may have been burnt before help could come. I was
clearly in distress. I knelt down again as usual and brought out my Rosary and
prayed to God again. I said ‘Sir, I didn’t want to join the police. Only you
chose this job for me. So here I am. Is this how I will end the carreer you
chose for me? Please sir, show me the way and I said Amen. By the time I said
the Amen, an idea came to me to change the venue of the court appearance. Lagos
had many courts in its judicial districts including Ikeja, Badagry and Epe etc.
and any of the courts could take the matter. So I called the IGP to discuss my
idea. I told him Ikeja would be fine and he directed me to get in touch with
the Chief Judge of Lagos. I directed the DPO Ikoyi who is now a DIG to go and
see the Chief Judge but he went and said the Chief Judge was on leave. I got back
to the IGP who said I should get in touch with the Registrar who also wanted to
know why and where I wished to change the trial to. I told him what I saw at
Igbosere was maddening. I also told him Ikeja would be fine and he asked that
we see one man at Ikeja. The time was about 2 am. I offered that the
court should sit at 6 am but he countered that courts start sitting at 9 am and
any earlier sitting would create problems. I called the IG again who directed
that the media must cover the trial and that the lawyers of the defence must be
present. I reached out to the defence attorney Barrister Akpamgbo SAN who was
far away in Enugu but he agreed to send his representative and did send. As
early as 6 am I stationed an amoured personnel carrier at Igbosere area with
the order to stop and search every vehicle entering Lagos Island and Ikoyi as I
directed. This was a decoy for people to believe that Igbosere was the venue
for the court appearance. When the aircraft from Abuja landed with Mohammed
Abacha and co, I ordered the Black Maria that took them to just park behind the
Airport Police station. The driver was not to leave his vehicle for any reason.
At 9 am, the leader of the team standing by at the Ikeja court reported that
all was set so I used my walkie talkie to radio the Black Maria to proceed to
Magistrate Court 1 Ikeja, venue for the appearance. None knew what each other
was doing except me. I proceeded to the court with a team of about seven men.
When the case was called, the accused pleaded not guilty so they were moved to
Ikoyi. I continued to be in touch with the driver of the Black Maria who called
to tell me that he arrived Ikoyi prisons safely. I then called the senior
officer coordinating at Igbosere to disband as operation was over. You could see
that the big problem was solved for me by God with my bare hands, no teargas,
no weapons and no shots fired. I still consider that as one of my greatest
challenges in the force. It reinforced my belief that God chose this career for
me. The OPC would have caused big problems for me, the police and the nation at
large on that day.
The Rosary seems to be
your basic companion…?
Yes it is ooo and I am very
proud to fling it out any time any day. I can remember it was Yinka Craig of
Blessed memory who in an interview asked me what was my ‘greatest push in
life’. I dipped my hand inside my pocket and produced my Rosary. Indeed it is
what pushes me in life. If you read my biography, you will see more. There were
very frustrating situations which later ended up in very beautiful ways when I
pray The rosary. My journey with the Rosary started very early. It continued
during my years at the Seminary. I missed becoming a catholic father. But I may
not miss the early morning mass. The rosary has become so much a part of me and
seems to work miracles for me when the chips are down.
Did you see your
appointment as IGP coming?
Well, I never saw it coming
despite that everyone dreams, hopes and aspires to grow to be so appointed. My
appointment was dramatic. I was with a friend at Maitama watching television
when my PA called me around 10pm to tell me that OgbonnayaOnovo had been
appointed IGP. After his call, we switched on to NTA to see the breaking news
that DIG OgbonnayaOnovo had been made acting IGP. As we lived within same
vicinity, I stopped by at his quarter to congratulate him adding that my wife
and I would come the next day. He informed me that all DIGs should be at Eagle
Square to pull out retiring IGP Ehindero at 8 a.m. I always went to mass every
morning. I said to myself I had a choice to go to mass or to leave the mass and
go to Eagle Square. I asked myself which was more important. I reasoned that I
might be late at Eagle square or miss the morning mass for good. I concluded
that I should go to mass and thank God that President Yar’adua did not choose
an AIG which would have been early retirement for me as well as many other
DIGs. I decided that God deserved praises that I am still keeping my job. I
went to mass, concluded, at 8 am and arrived the Force Headquarters at about
8;30 to see that all the DIGs were waiting for me. It was Onovo who called
attention for me and I was shocked. An acting IGP calling attention for me?
Something must be fishy I concluded. I wondered why Onovo whom I knew from
Police Staff College should be calling attention for me. Was he mistaking me
for someone else? I had known OgbonnayaOnovo since we joined the force. On this
day in history, I took the compliments anyway and we all headed to Eagle
Square. Whiletaking briefing from Ehindero in his office,
my PA came to me to whisper to me that the President wished to talk to me. I
shuddered. I took the phone and it was the voice of the ADC who said the
president wanted to see me at 4pm adding that I should be there at 3;30 pm. I
returned to Onovo and told him ‘sir, I am wanted at the Villa, please pray for
me o. Please don’t tell Ehindero because they might laugh scornfully at me’. I
left my office at 3;15 pm and by 3;30, I was at the President’s office. He said
‘welcome..you are my acting IGP’. When I left the Villa, the first person I
went to meet was Onovo. When I told him what happened, he told me it was the
reason he called attention for me earlier. He told me the Chief of staff to the
president called him to tell him that Okiro was the IGP and not him.
Now having been up and
down, back and forth and retired, you must be feeling somehow that members of
your force have become targets for the entire populace in the past few years?
It is indeed very sad to note.
The police seem to be a common denominator for hatred by the masses. I wrote an
article recently where I said the Police is the face of government. Africans
vent their anger on unpopular leadership on the police. The police takes the
blame because he is the only one seen. The history of the Nigeria Police tells
the story of the colonial masters who established a police to help them in tax
collection and enforcing colonial laws on Nigerians. Nigerians see the police
as the people who make them do what they hate to do or stop them from doing
what they like to do. They forget that the police man only enforces the law. If
we are all driving in mufti, no one would know that I am Mike Okiro except if I
am wearing uniform. So I can say that hatred for the police is transferred
aggression on leadership. The attack on the police is because they are visible
enforcers of government laws.
Any advice you can give
on this?
My advice is that some retired
officers who are still sound and healthy be sought and brought to contribute
their know-how on the security situation in the country. Nigeria should bring
them together to share their knowledge rather than bringing foreigners who know
next to nothing about Nigeria and may not understand the world view and
character of the people as to proffer solution to our security problems. It is
a difficult task but it is not impossible.
First published in Saturday Vanguard
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