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 the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) 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.