The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has gone through transformation since independence. Though, some horrible things have also happened, even if they sound unbelievable. For those of them from the South-East zone of the country, it has been a mixed blessing.
For instance, Ogbonnaya Onovo, still smarting from being the first and only man from the zone to occupy the top job, would count himself lucky as it seemed he was destined to head the Force. Not many of his kinsmen, though, qualified for the position, was that fortunate.
As a cop, Onovo’s job entailed dealing with gangsters. What he did not bargain for, was the gang up when it was his turn to become Inspector-General of Police (IGP). However, by the time Sunday Ehindero departed with the Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration on May 29, 2007, Onovo was the most senior police officer left.
Ordinarily, it would have been his turn to head the Force. But, that was not to be, as intrigues were to set him and the then President, Umaru Yar’Adua, was caught off guard on the issue. For the very first time, it would have been the turn of an Igbo to call the shot; yet, some powerful forces prevented that as they felt uncomfortable with such arrangement. Though, Onovo, from Enugu State, was allowed to act.
He did that for just three days; it turned out to be three long nights of conspiracy, from May 29, to June 1, 2007. Incidentally, the next in seniority, Mike Okiro, was not part of the plot. Okiro sounded Edo or Delta. As Commissioner of Police in Lagos, many did not know his true background. But when the Abuja “plotters” stumbled on his state of origin, Rivers, they shouted Eureka! That did not stop Okiro from assuming office on June 1, 2007, as the 12th IGP of Nigerian blood. As it turned out, they could not throw away Onovo, the Igbo man. He was retained as the most senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG). Somehow, the schemers got to know that they had misfired. Okiro’s middle name is Mbama. When translated, it sounds like “outsiders do not understand”.
The Mamman Nasir boundary adjustment Commission really stole the heart of the Igbo. A town called Obigbo was taken from Imo, and handed over to Rivers in 1976. Okiro is not an Obigbo man. But he knows his roots. Onovo and Okiro enjoyed cordial ties. No treachery. And that was against the scheme of things. On July 24, 2009, Okiro was dropped.
At last, it was Onovo’s time. It did not come easy. Detractors said he skipped the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Some argued that he only served briefly as a state Police commissioner in Ogun State. At the end, reason, maybe luck, prevailed. He was confirmed as IGP; the very first from the South-East. And that was also the beginning of more sinister moves.
On September 8, 2010, Onovo was replaced by Hafiz Ringim. That is a record. Onovo, the former Enugu Vasco da Gama footballer and lawyer, had, against all odds, become an IGP. He was the shortest serving acting IGP and had the shortest tenure as well; one year and two months. That seemed to be the lot of the South-East. After Onovo, the next two in the chain of command as DIGs, Ivy Okoronkwo and Azubuko Udah, were also from his geo-political zone. Government chose Ringim above his seniors. The Igbo screamed blue murder.
A middle way was worked out. Instead of retiring two more Igbo top officers with Onovo, they were asked to stay as DIGs. That shaky deal was in place until Mohammed Abubakar came. Okoronkwo and Udah were swept away. Ever since, the police broom is still sweeping. The South-East is out of the Kam Salem big pie. As it stands today, it does appear that the South-East and, indeed, the Igbo are gradually being systemically eased out of the Police Force
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For instance, Ogbonnaya Onovo, still smarting from being the first and only man from the zone to occupy the top job, would count himself lucky as it seemed he was destined to head the Force. Not many of his kinsmen, though, qualified for the position, was that fortunate.
As a cop, Onovo’s job entailed dealing with gangsters. What he did not bargain for, was the gang up when it was his turn to become Inspector-General of Police (IGP). However, by the time Sunday Ehindero departed with the Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration on May 29, 2007, Onovo was the most senior police officer left.
Ordinarily, it would have been his turn to head the Force. But, that was not to be, as intrigues were to set him and the then President, Umaru Yar’Adua, was caught off guard on the issue. For the very first time, it would have been the turn of an Igbo to call the shot; yet, some powerful forces prevented that as they felt uncomfortable with such arrangement. Though, Onovo, from Enugu State, was allowed to act.
He did that for just three days; it turned out to be three long nights of conspiracy, from May 29, to June 1, 2007. Incidentally, the next in seniority, Mike Okiro, was not part of the plot. Okiro sounded Edo or Delta. As Commissioner of Police in Lagos, many did not know his true background. But when the Abuja “plotters” stumbled on his state of origin, Rivers, they shouted Eureka! That did not stop Okiro from assuming office on June 1, 2007, as the 12th IGP of Nigerian blood. As it turned out, they could not throw away Onovo, the Igbo man. He was retained as the most senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG). Somehow, the schemers got to know that they had misfired. Okiro’s middle name is Mbama. When translated, it sounds like “outsiders do not understand”.
The Mamman Nasir boundary adjustment Commission really stole the heart of the Igbo. A town called Obigbo was taken from Imo, and handed over to Rivers in 1976. Okiro is not an Obigbo man. But he knows his roots. Onovo and Okiro enjoyed cordial ties. No treachery. And that was against the scheme of things. On July 24, 2009, Okiro was dropped.
At last, it was Onovo’s time. It did not come easy. Detractors said he skipped the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Some argued that he only served briefly as a state Police commissioner in Ogun State. At the end, reason, maybe luck, prevailed. He was confirmed as IGP; the very first from the South-East. And that was also the beginning of more sinister moves.
On September 8, 2010, Onovo was replaced by Hafiz Ringim. That is a record. Onovo, the former Enugu Vasco da Gama footballer and lawyer, had, against all odds, become an IGP. He was the shortest serving acting IGP and had the shortest tenure as well; one year and two months. That seemed to be the lot of the South-East. After Onovo, the next two in the chain of command as DIGs, Ivy Okoronkwo and Azubuko Udah, were also from his geo-political zone. Government chose Ringim above his seniors. The Igbo screamed blue murder.
A middle way was worked out. Instead of retiring two more Igbo top officers with Onovo, they were asked to stay as DIGs. That shaky deal was in place until Mohammed Abubakar came. Okoronkwo and Udah were swept away. Ever since, the police broom is still sweeping. The South-East is out of the Kam Salem big pie. As it stands today, it does appear that the South-East and, indeed, the Igbo are gradually being systemically eased out of the Police Force
NEW TELEGRAPH
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