Taiwo Lakanu: Police Pick Celebrated Crime-Fighter for New Challenges

Segun Atanda/

“Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings and not before officials of low rank.”

This Bible passage must have been talking about the likes of Nigeria’s celebrated crime fighter, Frederick Taiwo Lakanu, whose elevation from AIG to DIG was approved today by the Police Service Commission (PSC) to serve in the management team of the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu.

Before the elevation to Deputy Inspector General of Police, Lakanu who was Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of operations and then the Force Secretary had received recognition from government circles and accolades from Nigerians for his skills in policing and contributions to building a safe and secure society.

While leaving Imo where he served as Commissioner of Police, the state governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha described Lakanu as the long-awaited divine messenger sent by providence to rid the state of criminals.

For his accomplishments, including the killing of a dreaded armed robber and kidnapper known as Vampire in a joint operation with the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Okorocha also described Lakanu as an exemplary officer who came to the state and worked in collaboration with the people to achieve huge success in the area of security.

Then, the governor did something unprecedented in appreciation of the feat achieved by this celebrated crime fighter in Imo State. He named a road behind the police headquarters in Owerri after Lakanu. He also added a gift of choice land at Shell-camp worth N25 million.

Lakanu, who has been honoured as a warrior in his home state with the title of Akogun of Lagos State, received additional honour from the people of Imo State as the Onwa Na Etiri Oha (the moon that shines).

NewsmakersNG learnt that everywhere he goes, Lakanu would always do his best to restore the lost glory of the Police. From the time he enlisted as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in 1986, he has risen through the ranks, holding positions in operations, investigations and administration.

Lakanu once served as Head of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Lagos where he won the IGP’s gallantry award for his contributions to the reduction of crime in the state and bringing an end to the reign of the dreaded bandit, Shina Rambo, in the 80s.

Born on October 12, 1959, in Lagos Island, Lakanu holds B.A. (Hons) Philosophy and LL.B. (Hons) from University of Lagos (UNILAG) and a Master’s Degree in Law from the Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, United Kingdom. He was called to the Bar in 2000.

Lakanu was recently celebrated at an award ceremony organised by Security Watch Africa in Houston, Texas, USA.

He was named as the Most Outstanding Crime Fighter in West and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Lakanu had attended several courses within and outside the Country, including a Crime Investigation Course at the Police Staff College, Jos, and Developmental Course at Kofi Annan Centre for Peace Keeping, Accra, Ghana. He is also a fellow of National Defence College, Abuja.

Lakanu had served in various capacities in the Force as AIG Federal Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja, CP in Ekiti State, CP at the Airport Command, Lagos; Principal Staff Officer to the IGP (Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos) among others.

He had served as the AIG in charge of Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja comprising the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Niger and Kaduna states working with a combined police strength of about 34, 515 officers in the zone to protect a population of about 11, 422, 012 based on the 2006 census figures.

Lakanu was at the battlefront in Abia where he led 10 units of police special squad to face the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), restore order in the state, and take over the family house of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, a property that was the palace of Kanu’s father – Eze (Sir) I.O. Kanu, the Egwu Ukwu II of Afaraukwu Ancient City, at the GRA, in Umuahia.

He was sent on the mission after IPOB members stirred up trouble by blocking the passage of military men on patrol and stoning soldiers with missiles, prodding South-East governors to issue a joint statement proscribing the group, just as the military officially labelled IPOB as a terrorist group.

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