ASSISTANT Superintendents of Police, ASPs, that retired in 2017 at Ogidi Police Station have poured encomiums on Mark Ijarafu, a chief superintendent of Police, the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, describing him their role model in the service.

At a `farewell’,  party he organised for them, one of the retirees, simply identified as Ali, by his admirers, described the DPO as a father, mentor and selfless senior Police officer, who was always interested in how to move forward.

Speaking, Augustine Akubuo, an assistant superintendent of Police and the chief clerk in the station, hinted that since the arrival of the DPO, the rate of death among policemen had drastically reduced.

According to him, there is no month that passes without one policeman a police being reported dead through diabolical means, accident and robbery attacks but since he assumed office, we have not recorded these mysterious deaths.

“We are happy with him because he is selfless and interested in welfare of members of the force.

“As you can see he sponsored this send forth party to the retirees to make them happy,” Akubuo said.

“Because of these mysterious deaths some policemen applied to be transferred to other stations but now God has come with the DPO and no deaths has been reported since about six months that he assumed duty as DPO.’’

Earlier, Fidelis Eyisi, a superintendent of Police and the Divisional Crime Officer, DCO, commended the retirees for coming out hale and hearty after serving their fatherland stressing, “we must thank God for coming this far, some, who started this journey with us are no longer alive today to tell their tales.

“Good things always follow good people as you can see the DPO with God on his side always, whatever `charm’ planted here would not work because through prayers they have been `back to sender.’’’

In his response Ijarafu, who was honoured by Governor Willie Obiano as the best DPO in the state in 2017, said his achievements spoke for him, which prompted the governor to find him worthy to be so honoured.

He commended Garba Umar, the state Commissioner of Police, CP, who according to the DPO made the recommendation to the governor for the award.

He added that it would not have been possible if not for the CP who knew his performance in the state.

Basking in the euphoria of his honour as the best DPO, he said the entire Ogidi division made up by 10 communities had been fortified since he assumed duty.

“Sixteen arms and so many vehicles snatched from their owners have been recovered including the one they snatched from Alben Company, the latest was the one they snatched from a woman,” he said.

To buttress his point as a crime buster he hinted, “in the history of Ogidi Nwafor Festival, you see killings, snatching of vehicles but now it is zero crime since my arrival.’’

Commending the retirees for a work well done, he told the officers and men, “relax and do your work as what is meant for you nobody will stop it.’’

“I go to the cell every morning to check the inmates, my men know that if they do anything wrong I will deal with them. If they arrest anybody I know did not do wrong thing, I release him.

“Even the Mobile policemen on the road every day I check on them and call their unit commander in case of any extortion,” he added.

He prayed God to continue to guard, protect and direct the retirees as they join their families, relations, friends and the rest of the  society in forging ahead.

– Jan. 9, 2018 @ 17:23 GMT /