Colleagues, friends mourn late Rivers CP

The atmosphere was gloomy on February 17, as the casket of the late Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Mobolaji Odesanya, was gingerly lowered into a grave at the Vaults and Gardens Cemetery, Ikoyi, Lagos State.

Muffled cries could be heard from different sides of the cemetery. The muffled cries came from policemen, who tried to battle tears, but failed woefully.

Women in their midst threw decorum to the wind and wept noisily. Many of these women refused to be comforted because Odesanya was no more.

Odesanya must have done something right while he was alive. Aside from tears and lamentations that ran freely, many people, including policemen, politicians and journalists braved the trying Ikoyi traffic jam to attend the burial.

Odesanya was so loved, that five women, each with children came to the burial, claiming to be his legal wife. Among the five women, only Mrs. Juliet Odesanya, the accepted alleged legal wife and her children were allowed into burial site.

Indeed, a mild drama played out when a young man, who claimed to be the deceased’s first son, was not even allowed into the cemetery. The identification of guests, including family members, was carried out by Odesanya’s younger brother.

Before the interment, several people gave eye watery speeches on the Odesanya they knew, loved and respected.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Research and Planning, Mr. Valentine Ntomchukwu, described Odesanya as a fantastic officer.

Speaking at the funeral mass held at the Yaba Community Centre (YCC) Hall for his lying in state and Requiem Mass at the St. Dominic Catholic, Church, Yaba, Ntomchukwu said that, although he was Adesanya’s senior in police, fate brought them together at different locations.

He said: “Odesanya was a committed and loyal officer. I made a case for him because of my relationships with him. You can see the level of response from his course-mates. I’m not his course-mates. I’m his senior.  I had to be here to see that everything goes well.  He was a fantastic officer and believed in the unity of Nigeria.”

A security analyst, Mr. Folorusho Atta, described Odesanya as hardworking and dedicated officer, worthy to be emulated by other policemen.

According to Atta, his first contact with Bolaji was in 1980 and after interacting with him, he realized Bolaji was a quintessential police.

Atta said: “Bolaji was not arrogant, boastful or power-drunk. He was not like some of his colleagues. I witnessed the shameful act of two of his course mates some years back. One of these officers used a broken bottle to shave the pubic hair of his girlfriend for stealing his N5000. The other officer, detained, hung and tear-gases the private part of his mistress whom he accused of stealing his N10, 000 at his Ketu, Lagos office. Bolaji chided both men for such wicked actions. Even in the wildest of all dreams, Bolaji wouldn’t be caught alive, acting like those two police officers.”

The security analyst, who further described Odesanya as a public relations officer, added: “While majority of policemen and women hated pressmen with passion, Bolaji was a good friend to men of the fourth estate of the realm. He and I had been friends for many years. He was kind and generous. His kindness extended to my colleagues and others till he passed away in India.”

Atta calls on other policemen to emulate the good character and conduct of Odesanya.

The eldest sister of the late CP, Mrs. Mary Oluwatoyin described him as one of the best.

She said: “Although he was the last born among six children, he was the pride of the family. Bobo, that is what we called him. He was a fine man that everybody wanted to associate with. Bolaji was in a troubled state in Rivers. I heard all that was happening there. I was worried. If my mother was to be alive, she would have prayed for him every day. Juliet his wife should not fear. The Odesanya family is behind you. Bolaji has gone to rest.''

The Abia State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Leye Oyebade, said Odesanya was a fine police officer, a trusted friend and a brother.

Leye added: “We have been together for over 35 years. We joined the Nigeria Police Force on the same day. He is a kind hearted person who loved and did the work of the kingdom. He was a humble and God fearing person."

The late Adesanya was born on April 26, 1961 and died January 31, 2017. Odesanya died at 56 on January 31, at Sterling Hospital, Ahmedabad-Gujarat in Indian after a brief illness.

Recalling when their relationships started, Ntomchukwu, said: “I knew him in 1997 when he was the Officer in Charge (OC) of Ijesha. I was the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), in charge of Aguda Police Station in 1997. Fate brought us together. I was the commissioner of police and he was my deputy commissioner of police operations, Ogun State. He was a fine officer and God fearing. Both of us belong to the Knights of St. John International Catholic Church. He is hardworking and intelligent. I cannot say what led to his death, but I believe that God knows everything.”

The DIG said that he was impressed by the number of policemen that came all the way from Rivers State Police Command to attend Adesanya was given a befitting burial.

He said: “Death is a transition for everyone. The only thing is that Bolaji left earlier. We will continue to remember his good works, his love   and his ability to fraternize with others.”

The Commander of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, (SARS), Rivers State, a Superintendent of Police, Mr. Akin Fakorede, said Adesanya was one of the most professional police officers he had ever met.

He noted that the deceased’s trademark was his justice and fairness. 

The Managing Director of Ojinos Royal Ltd, Princewill Iheanyi Williams, said: “Since Bolaji came to Rivers State as a deputy commissioner of police, he wiped away cultism, robbery and other vices.  He liked reuniting people. Nigeria has lost a hero.”

The Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Mr.  Omoni Nnamdi, said: “Incidentally, he interviewed and nominated me before I was made the PPRO of Rivers State Police Command.  The very short period that I worked with him, was wonderful. He was a near perfect police officer. He was very careful in handling political issues in Rivers State. He was a professional and focused police officer. He never got distracted by the antics of politicians. He came, he saw and he conquered.”

The funeral service was held on Friday morning at St. Dominic Catholic Church, Yaba before the corpse was taken to the cemetery.

The Reverend Father Stephen Ogbe, said people always gathered for the dead, but no one loves death.

Ogbe said that Odesanya excelled in his job despite difficult situations where he served.

He added: “At 56, he made landmarks. He achieved a lot. The world that Francis lived was not an easy place. Crime is increasing every day in Nigeria, yet within this difficult environment, Francis did well. He was a man of faith, always willing to help.”

Guests at the funeral include the widow, Mrs. Juliet Odesanya and children, Minister for Transport, Mr. Chubuikem Amechi, NIMASA DG, Kakoko Peterside, Senator Magnus Abe and APC Chairman in Rivers, Mr. David Ikanya.

Other dignitaries are some serving and retired AIGs, commissioners of police, 10 traditional rulers from South West States and others.

Odesanya enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force in 1986 as Cadet Assistant.  He was promoted as Commissioner of Police in July 15, 2016. He holds B.SC in Political Science from the University of Lagos and a Law degree from Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo. He was from Irolu in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State.