“Sergeant Okoro!” DSP Ahmed
furiously called in a very high tone while standing in-between his office
executive chair and table the moment the said Sergeant hastily stepped into his
office.
“Yes Sir!” Sergeant Okoro responded accordingly, facing his boss as the
ethics demanded. Stood seriously, posing not unlike one of the soldiers that
fought the Second World War.
Both of them were in their uniforms.
DSP Rasaq Ahmed who was in his early forties was the Divisional Police
Officer (DPO) of one of the notable Police Stations situated in one of the
South-Western states in Nigeria. He was widely and famously known for his
unrelenting vibrant and dogged approach to issues relating to security of lives
and property from the very day he joined the Police Force; to say the least, he
was unarguably a no nonsense Police Officer, that, he became the envy of any
Police personnel that intended to discharge his/her duties or serve the country
selflessly and efficiently without any iota of fear or favour.
On that day, precisely 13th of August 2002, he had earlier
sent for Sergeant EkeneOkoro within a twinkle of an eye he received a report on
one local ‘champion’ in the neighbourhood named Femi who was accused of rape.
The notorious Femi who hailed from the locality had been terrorizing the
residents of the area and its environs, and his dastardly acts coupled with other
misdeeds were condoned by the previous DPOs. He was popularly known by his
men/accomplices as ‘Bale’ which literally implied the ‘Monarch of the area’ based
on their native language, Yoruba.
DSP Ahmed who was barely one month old in the Division had vowed to deal
ruthlessly with anyone in the area of any questionable character having been
intimated on the unwarranted anomalies that were on the rampage in the
locality.He was actually posted to head the Division owing to the ordeal.
“Go and get me the so called Bale.” DSP Ahmed ordered. “Right now.” He
supplemented. Stood still, looking like one who just lost one of his own.
“Yes Sir!” Responded the serious-looking
Sergeant who was already aware of the ugly incident.
“Don’t keep me waiting.”
“Yes Sir!”
He signalled the Sergeant with his left hand urging him to leave
immediately, frowning.
The Sergeant hurriedly tendered his last salute positioning his
masculine chest forward and dashed out of the office like a breastfeeding
monkey as requested.
“Non….sense!” The DPO exclaimed as soon as the Sergeant departed.
Quickly assumed his seat, looking pale and anxious.
Considering his physiognomy, it was obvious that he couldn’t wait to
behold the accused person.
Within three minutes, Sergeant Okoro organized a 5-man team comprising
no nonsense cops which included himself, and headed for the concernment with
their patrol vehicle.
“We have him, Sir!” Sergeant Okoro disclosed in a high tempo the moment
he dashed into the DPO’s office posing as usual barely twenty minutes after his
departure with the team.
They had successfully arrested the culprit. Femi who could not be
confronted by anyone, not even his King, couldn’t believe that he was in the
Police net.
“Good job.” The DPO applauded, nodding his big skull. “Where is he?” He
added while standing from his chair.
He was instantly led by the seemingly fearless Sergeant to the room
where the hooligan was kept in handcuffs.
“So you are the Bale?” said the DPO in a mean tone within a second he
found himself in the room.
He stood directly in front of the suspect.
That was the first time he would set his
eyes on Femi; before then, he was only familiar with his names especially his
sobriquet.
There were other three cops in the room, which was virtually empty,
including Sergeant Okoro and one female cop.
The huge and dark looking young man (Femi) clad in black jeans, blue
polo and dark-blue trainers who seemed to be in his mid-forties majestically
looked up to the DPO’s face, and remained calm. He was seated on an Iron
back-chair, felt relaxed; apart from him, the DPO and his men were on their
feet. The stylishly carved beards on his chins and lower jaw were enough to
form a forest.
DSP Ahmed who was in his Police uniform alongside his junior colleagues
signalled the female cop who stood adjacent to him to uncuff him (Femi).
She hastily complied with the instruction and returned to her former
position.
She was standing by the left side of the detainee, Sergeant Okoro stood
directly at his back whilst the other male cop was by his right side. Suffice
it to say that, he was surrounded by the four cops present in the room.
“I learnt you have been terrorizing the whole town?” the DPO proceeded.
“And now, you’ve diverted to rape.”
Femi remained speechless. Looked mean.
“Are you dumb?” DSP Ahmed shouted.
Femi stylishly glanced at him. “I
promise,” he said. “You will surely regret this.”
“What …!” The DPO exclaimed in a high voice.
The other male cop rushed to hit him but he
was resisted from doing so by the DPO via a commanding sign.
The four cops including the DPO became preoccupied with extreme
rage.They, excluding the DPO, kept their pistols handy; the DPO’s was lying on
his belted waist.
“So,” said DSP Ahmed. “You’re threatening me?”
The other three cops simultaneously shook their heads in disappointment.
“Even in my office?”The DPO added.
The crook was silent. Wasn’t disturbed or intimidated by anything, not
even the eye sockets of the DPO which seemed like that of ahungry owl.
Femi who was still single, was acquainted with most of the corrupt
politicians in the town and beyond, and he was their accomplice during
electioneering eras; every thuggery activity as regards electoral matters
within the arena was solely piloted by him. Due to this connection, each time
he was arrested by the past DPOs, he would surely be released through the
efforts of the renowned politicians. Apparently, he was yet to realize that DSP
Rasaq Ahmed was a totally different Police officer; undoubtedly, the DPO could
not compromise his determination to disabuse him of his silly and deceptive
notion.
“I bet you,” the DPO furiously exclaimed. “You will rot in jail.”
Femi dished out a deep and annoying smile. “This man must be a joker.”
He thought.
“Take him away.” The DPO ordered in a very loud voice. Dashed out of the
room for his office.
Within a twinkle of an eye, Femi found himself in the cell.
In five minutes time while the DPO was
bitterly seated on his office chair, his cell phone rang. “Hello!” He said the
moment he picked the call.
“Good day, my dear.” The caller
greeted in a thick voice.
“Good day, Sir.” responded DSP Ahmed. “Who’s this, please?”
“Please, am I unto DSP Rasaq Ahmed?” the caller verified. “The DPO of
Osungule Police Station?”
“Yes Sir.”
“Okay,” said the caller. “This is HonourableBayoOlogun.”
The DPO was calm and amazed. That was
the least of the names he expected to hear.
“TheHonourablerepresenting Osungule State Constituency.” He landed.
“Oh,” the DPO exclaimed. “MyHonourable!”
Both parties were yet to meet since DSP Ahmed was posted to the Division.
Hon Ologun got his contact from someone else as soon as he received the news of
Femi’s abrupt detention.
“So, how is work?” The Honourable enquired.
“Very fine, Sir.”
“Please, don’t be offended we haven’t met.” Hon Ologun pleaded. “I will
surely make out time for it.”
“No problem, honourable,” DSP Ahmed
said. “I understand.”
“I learnt one of my constituents is in your custody?” Hon Ologun asked
after five minutes of exchange of pleasantries.
“What’s his name, Sir?”
“Mr Femi.”
“Oh,” the DPO exclaimed. “That criminal?”
“Calm down, my DPO.”
“So…?” DSP Ahmed curiously dished out.
“Please, release him,” Hon Ologunurged.
“Okay?”
“I don’t understand, Sir.”
“Don’t worry,” said the Honourable. “When we see, we will discuss
extensively.”
DSP Ahmed was silent. Couldn’t utter a
word.
“Just release him, okay?”
“Hmm…” The DPO murmured.
“I’ll be in your office by tomorrow,” Hon Ologun assured.
“Unfailingly.”
“Unfailingly.”
“Is not as easy as you think, Sir.” The DPO politely notified.
“You mean, coming to your office?” He verified confusedly.
“No Sir,” the DPO replied. “I meant, releasing the culprit as you
demanded.”
“Why are you stubborn?” He said. “I thought you’re familiar with this
game?”
“I beg your pardon, Sir.”
“Okay,” Hon Ologun chipped in.
“We shall see then.” He hinted. Angrily cutted the call on him.
The previous DPOs had been complying with the corrupt politicians. All
they (the politicians) needed to do was to ask, and their demand would be instantly
granted to them. HonourableOlogun was deeply surprised to receive such
treatment from DSP Ahmed; he was of the view that it was still business as
usual.
Subsequently, he (Hon Ologun) and his fellow politicians of like minds
couldn’t bear the circumstance; the general elections were fast approaching and
they could do nothing without Femi alias Bale. Consequently, they were left
with no choice than to take the case to the state Commissioner of Police (CP).
Five days later being August 18, 2002, DSP
Ahmed who was seemingly standing alone was suddenly transferred to another
Division having refused to comply with the Commissioner; the man who replaced
him was mandated to release Femi unconditionally.
The aggrieved DSP Ahmed wrote to the Inspector General of Police (IGP)
and thereafter he was retransferred to the Osungule Division having been
promoted to the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP) for his uncommon
charisma.
Within same period, the state CP was suspended indefinitely, and another
Police personnel was immediately posted to the state to act in his capacity
till further notice.
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