THOUGHTS OF FEMOLAD:THE STORY OF LAWRENCE ANINI AND THE CHALLENGES OF TODAY’S NATIONAL SECURITY
Lawrence Nomanyagbon Anini, variously called "Ovbigbo" or "the Law", was a notorious armed robber who with members of his gang terrorized Benin City and neighboring cities in the eighties.
Anini was born in a village about 20 miles from Benin City in present-day Edo State. He migrated to Benin at an early age, learned to drive and became a skilled taxi driver.
He became popular in Benin motor because he could control the varied competing interests among motor park touts and operators.
He later became a driver and transporter for gangs, criminal godfathers and thieves.
Anini later formed his own gang which included, Monday Osunbor, Friday Ofege, Smallie ,Henry Ekponwan, Prince Eweka and Zegezege.
In early 1986, two members of his gang were tried and prosecuted despite an agreement with some police officers to destroy evidence against the gang members.
Anini saw this as betrayal and hence sought vengeance against the police.
Within three months, he had reportedly killed nine police officers at different locations in Benin City.
Many robberies by Anini’s gang were brutal and fatal, with policemen being prime targets.
Chris Omeben, a top police officer’s car was snatched, the driver killed and the corpse dumped in the bush.
"The Law", as he was nicknamed, during an operation that went bad reportedly had to escape from the police by driving in reverse from Agbor (in Delta State) to Benin City (in Edo State).
Anini led a four-month reign of terror between August and December 1986.
Worried by the seeming elusiveness of Anini and his gang members, the military President, General Ibrahim Babangida then ordered a massive manhunt for Anini and his gand of robbers. The police went after them to no avail.
The whole nation was gripped with fear of the robbers and their daredevil exploits.
Different stories started to make the rounds nationwide of their invincibility and for a while, it felt like they were never going to be caught.
At a stage Anini started wearing the garb of a modern day Robin Hood. In a bid to escape arrest, he would run into markets, throwing wads of stolen cash around thus giving himself a human shield which, coupled with his knowledge of the terrain, ensured his escape.
Irked by the growing tension generated by Anini, General Babangida, the ruling military President, after a meeting of the Armed Forces Ruling Council , the Nigeria's highest ruling body in October 1986, turned to the Inspector- General of Police, Etim Inyang, and asked sternly, ‘My friend, where is Anini?’ This open embarrassment of the Police top brass and fear of being marked incompetent by the President triggered a series of activities that led to the arrest, prosecution and execution of Lawrence Anini, his gang of robbers and their policemen co-conspirators.
The details and drama of their arrest, prosecution and execution is not my business today.
Three things were responsible for the cuffing of the notorious armed robber and his gang.
THE POLITICAL WILL OF THE PRESIDENT
General Ibrahim Babangida was not immune to the plight and security of life and property of the people of Benin City and neighboring towns. His short stern question was enough stimulus to stir the Inspector-General into immediate action.
A PROFESSIONAL INSPECTOR-GENERAL
Mr Etim Inyang didn’t have to be told twice before understanding the body language of the President. He read the lips of his Commander-in-Chief well and correctly. Rather than plead all kinds of excuses, he sprang into action. He went back to the Force he led.
WILLING AND ABLE OFFICERS
Police Commissioner Parry Osayande knew who among is men was right for the job. He went for Superintendent of Police, Kayode Uanreroro who on December 3, 1986, after some reliable intel led a 10-man crack team to effect the arrest of Lawrence Anini. The chain of command streamed down and the dedicated officers performed their duties, though arduous and hazardous, diligently. They went for the medals.
In today’s Nigeria, the spate of insecurity is damning. Unlike the “Anini saga” which was in a state, this is nationwide, threatening the very existence of the nation and growing everyday unchallenged.
THE NIGERIAN SECURITY ARCHITECTURE IS LACKING IN ALL THE ABOVE THREE.
The Presidency lacks the political will to tackle the problem of insecurity headlong. Safe some perfunctory condolences and empty grandstanding, the government lacks the drive to stop the trend.
The Service Chiefs, heads of Police and Military as well as the Secret Service are unashamedly unprofessional. Intelligence which should be the bedrock of a Security System is virtually zero, Recently, the President, while reacting to the Kuje jail break, expressed great disappointment in the Security Services. That should, like Babangida’s short question, have spurred spontaneous action.
But the President’s angst died like red hot charcoal dropped in a stream.
Superintendent Kayode Uanreroro knew what he had to do to make good the instructions of the Commander-in-Chief. Anini and his gang were reputed to have superior fire power and rumors had it they had spiritual prowess. Kayode and his men didn’t cower away in trepidation. The gathered intelligence and made full-proof plans. They were sure what had to be done. Despite the fact that some of their colleagues were fingered in the crimes, they did not allow camaraderie or esprit-de-corps to deter them and pervert justice.
Today’s Security Personnel don’t possess such qualities.
That is why we are where we are today.
That is why the government can not guarantee the safety of life and property in Nigeria.
That is why our Security Services are worse than Boy Scouts (Who are ALWAYS READY). They have not shown traits of being proactive.
That is why criminals under different names (ISWAP, Boko Haram, Bandits, Ansaru, Killer Herdsmen etc) operate without any let or hinderance and our Security System is beginning to look and act helpless.
UNTIL The government has the political will
UNTIL The Security Chiefs become really professional and rejig Intel
UNTIL The Security Officers are willing and able
THIS CONFLAGRATION WILL CONTINUE TO FLARE UNTIL IT HAS CONSUMED US ALL
 |
| Femi Ladapo (femolad) writes from Ibadan, Nigeria |
Comments