Some journalists reporting police and security in Lagos have described late Israel Ajao, a former Deputy Inspector General (DIG), as a committed professional police officer while in service.
The journalists who paid glowing tributes to the late Ajao, in separate interviews with our correspondent on Sunday in Lagos, said Ajao was among officers without controversies before his retirement and death.
Mr Julius Enehikhuerhe, a retired Deputy Editor-In-Chief of NAN and first President of Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN), said DIG Ajao was a seasoned police officer, who was committed to professionalism in the force.
Enehikhuerhe said that Ajao made his marks especially in the area of training and discipline, adding that he was always close to the media and ready to give an on the spot assessment of situations.
Mr Dipo Kehinde, a former president of the CRAN, said Ajao was a highly disciplined and down-to-earth officer, noting that he was easygoing and friendly and would often spend time out with journalists.
“I was the National President of the CRAN when he was the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Police Command in Lagos.
“He experienced many battles and I was always on the ringside.
“Several times, he saved Lagos from catastrophe.
“Once, when he refused to execute a presidential directive to arrest a sitting Lagos State governor days before the 2003 governorship election.
“I was with him at the officers’ mess in Ikeja, when he received the order.
“He said that he would rather resign, than embark on such illegality,” he said.
Kehinde, who is also the Publisher of NewsmakersNG and Chief Detective Magazine, added that Ajao efficiently managed many crises in Lagos.
This, he said, included crisis between the soldiers and the police, when the military men sacked the Police Command Headquarters ‘Area C’ in Surulere.
Mrs Yewande Iwuoha, General Manager, Raypower FM stations, Lagos and a pioneer member of the CRAN, said the late Ajao was a thorough bred Police officer with eyes for details whose commitment to effective policing was second to none.
“He was known to have fought vehemently against illegal check points and the notorious ‘stop and search’ syndrome when he was the CP Lagos, CP Ogun and later AIG Zone 2.
“The media has indeed lost a friend in DIG Isreal Ajao. He, indeed saw the media as a partner in progress.
“His periodic meetings with the media, especially with CRAN on how to collectively wage war against crimes, was a reflection of true community policing,” she said.
Mr Folorunsho Attah, a journalist and security expert, described Ajao as a gentle police officer of repute, down to earth, friendly and compassionate.
Attah said that his death came to him as a rude shock, stressing that he was an intelligent officer who humbled himself before members of the media, irrespective of age.
“He was one of the good men the Nigeria Police Force had. Despite his intelligence, he was neither arrogant nor found to be rude to people.
“He was at no time power drunk. His mantra was always, ‘power belongs to God’,” Attah said.
Another former CRAN president, Mr Chris Oji, said that Ajao was an Inspector -General of Police that Nigeria never had, describing him as a grassroot person, who led many dangerous operations in company with his subordinates.
“The good thing about him was that he would take every advice seriously, not minding your status in the society.
“When you give information to him about crime or misdemeanor by men and officers of his command, he would act swiftly and do justice about the information.
“He was a friend of journalists as he partnered with us while in the office. DiG Ajao, would honour any invitation, be it naming ceremony or wedding, by journalists especially Crime Correspondents.
“He was not involved in any scandal or controversy, as he was straight forward in his dealing.
:He operated an open door policy and this endeared him to the hearts of journalists who were assigned the police beat.
“He will be remembered for his doggedness in crime fighting, humility, generosity, and respect for human rights,” Oji said.
Also speaking, Mr Albert Akpor, Publisher of Crimeworld Magazine, said Nigeria as a country has lost a big brain in DIG Israel Ajao (retd).
Akpor described him as a technocrat and a visioner.
” I knew him when he was a DCP as O/C legal at Alagbon and later CP Lagos. He was such a brilliant and humane policeman.
“To the media, late Israel Ajao was a delight. He will tell you; ‘Whatever you see my men do that is wrong, please tell me first, before publication. We are all working for the good of the nation’.
“He will be sorely missed,” Akpor said.
NAN reports that the Inspector-General of Police (I-GP) Mr Usman Baba, had on Saturday announced the death of DIG Israel Ajao in a statement by the Force spokesman, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
Baba said that Ajao’s death occurred in the early hours of Friday, June 3 at the University College Hospital Ibadan.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to continually honour and celebrate its fallen heroes, who had served the country diligently.
Baba commiserated with the late DIG’s family, relatives and friends, wishing them the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
He also prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed.
Discussion about this post