Combating Crime in Nigeria: An Unsung Hero Within the Nigeria Police Force.

By Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu.

Often we hear of major crack downs on crimes and criminality by the Nigeria Police Force and we hardly know what becomes of the brains and minds behind the brave acts. Do these great men and women of the Force swim in the tide of encouragement or sink in the trials of unrecognised recognition in an institution that is in dire need of mental attitude boost for their officers and men?

The story of CSP Patrick Ejedawe as a doughty policeman of note within the records of the force's officer corps has many knots, but the most recent is the one that has to do with how he mopped up the Atrocious acts of nefarious Kidnap Kingpin, Evans, in Edo and Lagos states.

The then Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State, at the fifth Town Hall Meeting on Security in Lagos in 2011, said that *no honour was too big for those who placed their lives ``on the line for others to have comfort.`` When he said this, it was in deference to and in appreciation for CSP Patrick Ejedawe. At this event, the then beloved Governor presented him with an award for *gallantry, courage and bravery*

Establishing public safety is among Federal, State and Local government’s fundamental obligations to its citizens. The safety and security of one’s person property are widely viewed as basic human rights and are essential to the community’s overall quality of life. When the citizenry is not, and does not feel, reasonably safe, other critical government functions such as economic development, government finance, public education, stable housing, and basic local government services become that much more difficult to provide.

There is increased demand for accountability from and within police system; advancements in technology, emergence of new crime types, recession measures, and a plethora of additional challenges place a huge demand on all the resources of the Nigeria Police Force especially the mental one, and where do we expect the right response to these challenges to come except in the men and women of the Force? Even if we were blessed with the most sophisticated equipment for policing in our land we would still need individual officers and men to do the job . However the story of our police is one in which we all see them steeply challenged in a manner that places them in the disadvantaged position when a call against crime is made. So how does an institution like the Nigeria police Force operate in such conditions? One answer lies in leadership. Leadership is one of the most important predictors of whether any institution is able to effectively function in dynamic environments. This is why the police cannot afford to leave their dynamic officers and men to feel dampened.

In all capacities and Police commands where Patrick Ejedawe has served, his style of leadership is worth emulating. He sees himself as a Police Officer. He plays a central role in the law enforcement system. He monitors criminal activities, takes part in patrols, respond to emergency calls, makes arrests, investigates crimes and testifies in court as needed. Still there is so much more to know about him. Let me try.

Investigation revealed that when nefarious kingpin, Evans’ activities became so troubling in Edo state, the then Inspector -General of Police, MD Abubakar, deployed one of his key operatives, Patrick Ejedawe, who was the Commander of Mopol 2 Squadron Command, Lagos, to Edo State, to track him and his members down.

It was learned that SP Patrick Ejedawe, now a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), who was senior to other officers then that are now Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) and Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) respectively;  mopped up all members of the gang except Evans, Hunch-man and Sudo, who fled to Ghana.

It is also on record how Patrick Ejedawe saved the lives and money of a bank in Lagos during a bank robbery incident in Lagos state under his Command as Commander MOPOL 2, Keffi, Lagos. In one of the breath-taking tactical displays of bravery as Squadron Commander, Mopol 2, Lagos; Patrick Ejedawe got information about an attempt to rob a bank, in response, he strategically positioned his men at various points within the banking premises, waiting for the robbers to strike. His strategy worked professionally. The robbers had planned to smuggle their weapons into the bank using a computer processing unit, which the security guard involved was expected to carry into the banking hall. On Thursday, May 10, 2012 at about 1700hrs, One Sodiq Yinusa ‘m’ was arrested at the vicinity of the bank while waiting for the other members of his gang to attack the bank. Based on the confession of the arrested robber. 

Investigation also revealed that O’C SARS was drafted to join Commander Mopol 2 Keffi, SP Patrick Ejedawe, to arrest other members of the gang in their respective hideouts. Their combined efforts led to the arrest of one Arnold Dokpesi ‘m’, Sunday Orukpe ‘m’, Timi Bozime ‘m’, Matanmi Oladipupo ‘m’ and Adesida Kehinde ‘m’. Two locally made pistols recovered and 11 numbers of 99mm live ammunition were recovered from Arnold Dokpesi and Sunday Orukpe.

The highly decorated policemen, led by Mopol 2 Commander, SP (Now CSP) Patrick Ejedawe, rescued four abducted people in October, 2011 from a criminal syndicate.

To hint at the dire circumstances under which the officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force operate in an atmosphere of sophisticated crime in Nigeria, Squadron Commander Patrick Ejedawe had had to on numerous occasions recover superior weaponry like rocket launchers and other arms and ammunition from kidnappers in Lagos. In a narrative by eyewitness on that fateful day, the unexpected visit of mobile policemen led by the Commander, MOPOL 2, Lagos, Patrick Ejedawe, to Obadore street in Igando area of Lagos, sent shivers down the spines of the residents. Three men reportedly abducted from different areas of Lagos, were met in one of the rooms, blindfolded with their hands tied to the back. To the amazement of all, when a search was conducted in the apartments, a catchment of weapons comprising three rocket launchers and three rockets, eight AK 47 magazines fully loaded with a total of 3,240 rounds of ammunition, four dynamites and assorted charms were discovered in the premises. Two of the suspected kidnappers were also arrested.

It was gathered that the bubble burst for the kidnappers was after one of them, Kenneth Okonkwo, a native of Abia State, was arrested somewhere around Sango area of Ogun State, in his attempt to collect N2.8 million ransom from the family of one of their victims, a medical doctor identified simply as Dr. Godwin Ene, 66, a surgeon. The second victim, Godwin Okonkwo, 56, who spent about three weeks in the kidnapers den, said: “I was on my way home from work on September 15, 2011, when a vehicle accosted me along my street in Okokomaiko area of Lagos State. Four heavily armed men alighted from the vehicle, and I asked them what they wanted. Before I knew what was happening, I was asked to pay ramsome before my release. The third victim, Rodney Agaga , a US based Nigerian who was in the country to invest in a hotel business, said the kidnappers shot at the tires of his car, demobilized it before forcing him inside their vehicle. An initial ransom of N150 million, he said, was demanded by his abductors.

Truth be told, Ejedawe has been honoured by society for his bravery and service to them some of then are both within and outside the Force.

On the 7th June, 2005, he was awarded by the Nigeria Police Force in Lagos presented to him by CP Ade. A. Ajaikaye for gallantry and courage displayed in routing of armed robbers who attacked Standard Trust Bank, PLC, Itire road, Lawanson, Lagos, killing two of the armed robbers and recovered arms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons in the early hour of 5th June, 2005.

In October 26th, 2011, he got another award in Lagos from the Nigeria police Force presented to him by CP Yakubu A. Alkali for gallantry, bravery and dedication to duty that led to the arrest of kidnappers and massive recovery of arms and ammunition, on 8th October, 2011.

Academically, Ejedawe has not failed the Force, it is on record that he emerged top of the class in the Tactical Leadership arm courses always. This is well known in the Force as a prerequisite for promotion.

Leaving the classroom behind and going again to the field of reality, it is worthy of note that in response to the award presented to him and his men by the then Governor of Lagos State Babatunde Raji Fashola, SP (Now CSP) Patrick Ejedawe who led the 20 man police team from the Lagos State Police Command to rescue four kidnapped persons in October, 2011 that instigated this honour, said the award showed that *those in government were watching the activities of policemen*

He said the honour was `highly` appreciated, adding that ``it will make us double our efforts.`` One would wonder if those in the Force were indeed watching the sacrifices of these men with a view to substantially rewarding them.

To this day despite all other acts added to these which prompted the Lagos State Governor to show his respect above, one wonders what the authorities at the Nigeria Police Force have done or are planning to do with gallant police officers like CSP Ejedawe. Accumulating plaques in their homes and offices for their bravery while growth within the ranks of the Force constantly eludes them? Methinks that people who fight right should be pushed upwards so that they can lead others right to fight right. Knowing full well that the best form of leadership is by examples and records, when men and women who have distinguished themselves occupy high ranks in society, those coming after them would see in them the reward of bravery, decency and excellence and then aspiring to be like them, they would go brave, go excellent and go decent. while others who have not come close to his deliveries have gone on to clinch higher ranks. The question is how far up has CSP Ejedawe leadership example pushed him within the ranks in our sacred Police Force? This writer can't provide you the answer.

Ejedawe , a committed officer, pride of his fellow officers and the rank and file of the Force has the in-built capacity of the Police Force to protect the lives and property of citizens. To maintain order, stop lawbreakers on their tracks by hounding them to incarceration so as to face the sad music of their nefarious actions. He has different responsibilities and tactics depending upon the size and structure of the area in which he serves. When such men as this are honoured unreservedly the police Force and the general public watching the scenario would feel warmth within them and naturally feel a commitment to be just, forthright and astute in their jobs. If ever we needed to encourage probity and excellence in our country, it is now.