I Hit Nightclubs, Mingled With Ashawo, AIG Orutugu on Anambra Crime Fight

The immediate past Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Ikioye Orutugu, has revealed that, in the course of carrying out his lawful duties in the state, he had to interact and mix with prostitutes, popularly known as “ashawo,” as part of his efforts to gather intelligence and combat crime.

Orutugu made the revelation on Sunday at a thanksgiving service held at St. Peter’s Church, Amawbia Archdeaconry, Awka, Anglican Church, to mark his retirement from the Nigeria Police Force after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60.

Speaking during the service, AIG Orutugu said he had no better words to express his gratitude than to thank God for seeing him through his years of service in the Nigeria Police Force.

He said that upon his deployment to Anambra State, he was determined to confront the security challenges confronting the state, particularly kidnapping, cultism and armed robbery, without compromising his principles.

According to him, he relied on his faith in God and was determined to use every lawful means available to him to gather intelligence and tackle criminality.

“When I was deployed to Anambra State as Commissioner of Police, I was disturbed. When I came, I was focused and focused my mind on God, with the hope that with God, all things are possible. I said the God who brought me to Anambra State would give me the capacity and courage to overcome the challenges in the state.
“I came from the remotest place in the country, and for God to have discovered me and brought me to Anambra to stop kidnapping, cultism and armed robbery, I said He brought me here for a purpose.
“As a police commissioner, I visited all the nightclubs in Awka, gathering information. While I was in Awka, my Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) were doing the same thing in other cities. I interacted with prostitutes, ashawo, but I never slept with them.
“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 ashawo and visited all the nightclubs in Awka every weekend,” he said.

The retired police chief said his interactions in such environments were primarily aimed at gathering intelligence that could assist the police in tackling criminal activities across the state.

According to him, God guided him throughout his tenure as Commissioner of Police and gave him the courage to confront kidnapping, armed robbery and cultism in Anambra State .

He also said that, upon assuming office, he resolved not to adopt a strategy centred on the indiscriminate use of force, but to work with community leaders and other stakeholders in addressing the security challenges confronting the state.

“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 said.

Orutugu further stated that he never lobbied for positions throughout his career, attributing his progression and eventual deployment to Anambra State to divine providence.

“I have never lobbied to be anywhere throughout my service, and I said the God that brought me here to Anambra would give me the capacity and courage to succeed.
“I am happy today that I came, saw and conquered. Today, to the glory of God, Anambra is safer,” he said.

In his homily, the officiating clergy, Venerable Jason Onyekagbusi, commended the retired AIG for what he described as the peace and sanity he brought to Anambra State during his tenure as Commissioner of Police.

According to him, Orutugu’s name would remain associated with the security efforts in the state.

“When we talk about security in Anambra State, your name is there, and God will give you the strength to live longer.
“May the good Lord bless you, may the Lord protect you, and may the Lord keep you healthy and grant you long life.
“You are a gift to Anambra and Nigeria, and your life is a testimony to others,” he said.

The cleric also thanked God for protecting and guiding the retired police officer throughout his career and for ensuring that he completed his service without losing his life in active duty.

“We thank God that He never allowed you to die in active service. We thank God for protecting you and bringing you to a peaceful retirement from the police.
“We pray that your life after service will be secure and that of your family will also be secured,” he added.