By Sarah NEGEDU
Security personnel in the Federal Capital Territory have been asked to always work as a team, as the job of securing the city can only be effective when personnel work together in the pursuit of their core mandate.
This charge was given by Superintendent of Police, Rahama Thomas, a former Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of the FCT Secretariat and environs.
SP Thomas, who retired this week, after 35 years in service, stressed that Police work is a team work, as no one can do it alone, urging senior officers to always be up and doing by being hard working and patient while putting subordinate personnel through the job.
According to her, “police work is a team work, so you can’t do it alone. You have to go with others, so I thank my subordinates and junior ranks – we were always there for each other.”
Sharing her working relationship between her Division and the FCT Administration while in service the retired officer said, “We were all good to each other – from the FCT Security Department to other stakeholders. We are attachees to the complex, but we are the overall number one security.
“When anything happens – whether in the night or day, my phones are open 24/7, they call my lines; or they have any security report, they will call me direct, saying beef up security, this is what is going to happen. And I will call my personnel, let us act and the situation brought under control. It is not my doing, but it is the grace of God.
“My advice to my successor is that she should be patient and carry everybody along, put the personnel through the job, and she herself should be up and doing. Let her not sit down in the office, just waiting for her subordinates to do it for her, so she be up and doing by visiting them, talking to them and organising lectures.
“Also, she should not hesitate to call their attention and point fingers to whoever that is wrong. Also, she should place anybody that is misbehaves where he belongs to – that’s the job.”
SP Thomas, who joined the Police on the first May, 1987, and retired on Sunday, 1st May, 2022, said “I thank God for seeing this day alive- physically alright and I’m bouncing out physically to my family. I thank the FCT Minister for being there for me, because if there is anything concerning the personnel, I would run to him, and he will always answer me”.
She retired as a Division Police Officer posted to FCTA Secretariat complex, which houses office the FCT Minister and top officials of the FCTA as well as the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Ecobank.
Superintendent of Police, Gimbya Audu, takes over from SP Thomas as DPO with coverage areas extending to the FCDA building, Nicon Luxury, NTA broadcasting and admin blocks and Cantonment barracks within the Area 11, Garki District of Abuja.
