Tears for Shehu

January 20 this year was a heart-rending day to indigenes and residents of Enugu state. It was on that black day that the Nigeria Police, nay Nigerians, lost a rare gem, Shehu Adamu, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), in a car crash.

Adamu was traveling to Abuja alongside Sani Magaji, former Enugu state police commissioner, and three others including commissioner’s Personal Assistant, visiting brother and driver. Except Commissioner Magaji, Shehu perished with the other occupants of the jeep in which they were traveling.

Painfully, Shehu lost his life while on national duty on the Abuja-Kaduna highway from his Enugu base. He was on his way to Abuja on Magaji’s promptings. Adamu, ‘always loyal and humble to his superiors’, enjoyed very close working relationship with Police Commissioner Magaji.

Born in 1968 at Azare in Bauchi state, Shehu, until his sudden death, was the squadron commander, No. 3 squadron, Police Mobile Force, Enugu during which he did not only distinguish himself but was loved and admired by all and sundry in Enugu State. Shehu so much endeared himself to the people of Enugu state that he jocularly referred to himself as Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndi-Fulani in Enugu state. Wherever he went, he went with unequalled charisma.

It is no understatement that Shehu, when alive, could not enter any gathering without being noticed. Even if at the most Herculean assignment, Shehu carried out his duties jovially. Shehu would tell those in check during assignments, “You know I am the chief Priest of this congregation.” That was vintage Shehu. Shehu used coaxion and not force in crowd control, and he had, most times, succeeded.

Shehu carved out a niche for himself in Enugu state when he served as Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for six years. It is on record that journalists in the state protested his transfer as a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) from the PPRO beat.

As PPRO of Enugu State Police Command, Shehu saw himself as a member of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and he was rightly registered as a member. Shehu was always in the company of journalists, and called himself ‘Pastor’ of the rendezvous where journalists retire to after the day’s job.

To Fidelis Ogarabe, Chief Security Officer (CSO) to Enugu state governor and Shehu’s course mate in the Course 18, 1994/1995, Shehu was a gallant friend, a colleague, a confidant and reliable ally.

“I will say to Shehu: ‘You did not die in vain because your good relationship with all and sundry in Enugu state and Nigeria in general will ever be remembered. Indeed, by your death perishable articles meant for sale have been damaged by rain. I will ever remember that sad day you left us for the great beyond. We will endeavor to carry on with your legacies- that include fighting crime without tears.”

Shehu Adamu was educated at the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria where he obtained a degree in English Education in 1985. He, thereafter, went for his National Youth Service at Imo state. His primary assignment was in Obowo. It was during this one year national service that he developed interest in Igbo language and Igbo people, of whom he never hid his love. Shehu in 1992 bagged his Masters Degree at the ABU, majoring in education.

In 1994, Shehu decided to serve the nation in a more practical way by joining the police force as a cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and proceeded to an 18 month course at the Police Academy, Kano. He served in Benue state under CP Abubakar Mairamiri as officer in charge of Anti-robbery. Shehu was later in 1999 transferred to Enugu state, again, to serve under CP Mairamiri as his personal assistant.

It was during this period Shehu was appointed the Enugu State command PPRO. He, also, doubled as Chairman, Petroleum Task Force. He variously served as DPO in a number of local government councils in Enugu State from where he was transferred to Distress Call Base (Operation Vigilance).

Shehu stayed briefly at Ekiti state where he took charge of the Anti-robbery squad. He worked with a number of Police Commissioners who are either retired or are still serving. These include AIG zone 7, Ivuoma Okoronkwo, retired AIG Idris Mohammed, and retired CP Morrison Abbe, AIG zone, Suleiman Fakai among others.

It’s unbelievable that Shehu could die so soon. Vivacious Shehu was our friend in KlinReports. He was such a goodly and liberal Nigerian that he found a space in his heart to accommodate all. Death, where is thy sting?
Shehu, so long! May Your Sociable Soul Rest in Perfect Peace. Amen.