By Suzy Chukwuechedom l Anambra
The immediate past Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG Ikioye Orutugu, has disclosed how he adopted unconventional intelligence-gathering methods, including visiting nightclubs and engaging commercial sex workers, to tackle insecurity in the state.
AIG Orutugu, who recently retired from the Nigeria Police Force after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60, made the revelation on Sunday during a thanksgiving service at St. Peter’s Church, Amawbia Archdeaconry, Awka, in the Anglican Communion.
Speaking at the service, the retired police chief said his deployment to Anambra came with daunting security challenges, particularly kidnapping, armed robbery and cultism, which he was determined to confront without compromising his values.
He said he anchored his approach on faith and intelligence-led policing, rather than brute force.
”When I was deployed to Anambra State as Commissioner of Police, I was disturbed. When I came, I focused my mind on God, with the hope that with God, all things are possible. I said the God who brought me to Anambra would give me the capacity and courage to overcome the challenges,” he said.
Orutugu revealed that he personally led intelligence sweeps across Awka and directed his Divisional Police Officers, DPOs, to replicate the same in other major cities.
”As Commissioner of Police, I visited all the nightclubs in Awka every weekend, gathering information. While I was in Awka, my DPOs were doing the same thing in other cities. I interacted with prostitutes, but I never slept with them,” he said.
”This is a church and there are limitations to what to say, but I must say that in the course of fighting crime, I interacted with sex workers and visited all the nightclubs,” he added.
According to him, the interactions were strictly professional and aimed at harvesting credible intelligence from the underworld to dismantle criminal networks.
The retired AIG said he deliberately avoided a strategy built on indiscriminate use of force, opting instead to work with traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders.
”When I came, I said I was not going to shed blood, but I would use leadership and communities to fight the challenges. To the glory of God, I did that and reduced the incidence of crime,” he stated.
Orutugu, who said he never lobbied for any posting throughout his 35-year career, attributed his rise and eventual posting to Anambra to divine providence.
”I am happy today that I came, saw and conquered. Today, to the glory of God, Anambra is safer,” he declared.
In his homily, the officiating priest, Ven. Jason Onyekagbusi, lauded the retired officer for restoring peace and stability in the state, noting that his name would remain indelible in Anambra’s security history.
”When we talk about security in Anambra State, your name is there. You are a gift to Anambra and Nigeria, and your life is a testimony to others,” the cleric said.
He thanked God for preserving Orutugu throughout his service years and prayed for a peaceful and healthy retirement for him and his family.
How I Enter Nightclubs, Engaged Sex Workers To Fight Crime In Anambra — Retired AIG Orutugu
Princely Onyenwe
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