How Police Chief Slammed Governor who Kept 260 Policemen for Personal Security

“You are a governor, and you have 260 policemen in your house. Is it not madness?”

These striking words came from Dr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, a retired Commissioner of Police and former Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), while recounting his courageous fight against a governor who had 260 policemen stationed at his residence.

Dr. Ojukwu shared this story during his keynote lecture at the annual Feast of Barracuda in Abuja, organized by the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) Sahara Deck. The theme of the event was “The Role of Civilian Collaboration in Enhancing Security within the FCT and its Environs.”

In his address, Ojukwu lamented the misuse of police resources, pointing out that many of these officers were reduced to menial tasks such as opening gates and carrying bags. This misuse, he argued, contributes to the general under-policing of the Nigerian population.

“There are about 16,000 policemen in the FCT,” Ojukwu explained. “This is one policeman to 245 residents in Abuja. Among this ratio, how many of such policemen are attached to VIPs? I had an issue with a governor, and he thought I was being personal. I told him it wasn’t my fault; you are the person I saw and I have to attack you. You are a governor, and you have 260 policemen in your house. Is it not madness?”

Ojukwu’s message was clear: the extravagant use of police force by those in power not only showcases a blatant abuse of authority but also leaves the general public vulnerable and under-protected. He emphasized the dire consequences of such practices, noting that the fear of crime, driven by visible security imbalances, can be more debilitating than crime itself.

“There is a threat to our economy and to our overall well-being,” he said. “A hungry man is an angry man, and an angry man is a semi-mad man. There is a need for collaboration between the police and the people. When you see something, say something.”

Ojukwu’s bold confrontation with the governor highlights a critical issue in Nigeria’s policing system and serves as a call to action for both citizens and officials to work together to ensure fair and effective security measures.