It was a roll call of crème de la crème of Onitsha during the send-off organised in honour of the past Onitsha Police Area Commander, Chidiebere Nzota, who was promoted from Assistant Commissioner of Police to Deputy Commissioner of Police.

Nzota, formerly the Onitsha Area Commander, was recently decorated with his new rank of DCP by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 13 Police Command, Abayomi Oladipo, and has been transferred from Onitsha.

During the send-off organised for the outgoing area commander in Onitsha on Sunday, residents, including traders, members of the civil society groups and other well-wishers, hailed the police officer for his efforts in combating crime and other criminalities, as well as ensuring security in Onitsha.

Present at the ceremony held on the Area Command’s premises were the Chairman of Onitsha Main Market, Chijioke Okpalugo, the state Chairman of Civil Liberties Organisation, Vincent Ezekwueme, Chairman of Police Community Relations Committee, Zone 13 Police Command Ukpo, Sir Vic Agubisi, among others. They all paid glowing tributes to Nzota and prayed God to guide him in his new office.

The Chairman of Onitsha Main Market, Chijioke Okpalugo, said, “His promotion is well deserved, he merited it and it is supposed to be a double promotion because he did marvellously well in Onitsha by eliminating all manners of crime and criminality.

“Prior to his arrival in Onitsha, there was no night life, people were being killed on a daily basis.

Most people, because of insecurity, relocated to neighbouring states; fear of uncertainty gripped everybody.

“On arrival, Nzota made consultations with stakeholders, held security meetings and personally moved into action. When there was distress call, Nzota will be the first to be there and before you know it, he brought watertight security to Onitsha.

“The notorious Upper Iweka axis is now secured and night life has returned. We are happy that he is promoted, but we are not happy that he is leaving Onitsha even though he has assured us that his successor will emulate his footsteps.”

Also speaking, Vincent Ezekwueme, described Nzota as a “crime buster”, adding that in the past two decades, he remains the only Onitsha Police Area Commander who fought and suppressed criminals without losing one policeman.

The officers and men of the Onitsha Area Command, also took the centre stage at the event as they danced round the premises with Nzota leading the dance group as they praised him for his love to them.

Speaking on behalf of the officers and men of the Area command, CSP Chioma Ogbani, in charge of Administration, said Nzota’s promotion was divine, adding that they will not forget his fatherly role to them as he took them like his own children.

The officers of the command presented a giant deep freezer to Nzota, saying he left a big shoe for his successor and prayed God to also assist the successor to be able to fight crime to submission.

Expressing satisfaction with the send forth party, the wife of the outgoing Area Commander, Lolo Angela Nzota, traced the history of the husband’s love for others to when he was born, adding that he is God-sent to better the welfare of the people.

“I come all the way from Abuja as a civil servant with the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology. I return all the glory to God because without Him it will not be possible. God has been merciful to him and that is his name, ‘Chidiebere’. My husband is leaving Onitsha on the day of Palm Sunday triumphantly like Christ entered Jerusalem on a Palm Sunday.

“I thank the Inspector General of Police, IGP Tunde Disu and his amiable wife, including the Police Service Commission for the promotion of my husband from ACP to DCP,” she added.

In his response, the outgoing Area Commander, Chidiebere Nzota, stated that his exit does not stop their relationship with him, pointing out that it is just a national service that needs sacrifice and perseverance.

The highlights of the occasion included a masquerade display, presentation of gifts by PCRC Zone 13 Police Command, Onitsha Main Market, friends and well-wishers. (The PUNCH)