On Monday, 3rd August, 2020, the Imo State Police Command, paraded a suspect purported to be the traditional ruler of Obor Awara community, in Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo State, for alleged involvement in kidnapping.

The suspect was paraded alongside 31 other suspects, who allegedly committed various crimes, ranging from armed robbery, kidnapping, rape and murder, among other acts of criminality.

During an open confession (according to the report), the so-called traditional ruler told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), that the robbery syndicate paid him #3 million to use his Lexus 330, with registration number URM 404 EL during the kidnapping.

Continuing, he stated, "My nephew took my vehicle to do kidnapping. I am not one of them, though they have used my vehicle about four times and gave me some money."

But in a timely reaction, the chairman of the Imo State Traditional Rulers' Institution, Eze E.C Okeke said that no traditional ruler in the State was involved in any case of kidnapping or armed robbery, pointing out that the suspect is not a monarch in the State.

His statement read in parts "The attention of the Imo State Traditional Institution and Community Policing has been drawn to the news making the rounds, that a traditional ruler in the State was involved in a kidnapping case."

He went further "Our investigations show that the said person is not a recognized traditional ruler in Imo State. The traditional ruler of Awara is Eze A.N Ezenwoke, who is the chairman of Ohaji/Egbema LGA Traditional Institution and Community Policing. Therefore the traditional rulers (Ezes) in Imo State, are people of proven integrity."

Honestly, I was immeasurably delighted when I read this rejoinder which came out on Tuesday, 4th August, 2020.
Come to think of it. How could the image of our highly revered royal fathers be dragged to the mud in such a manner?

I think the police should be able to distinguish between chieftaincy title holders and a recognized traditional monarch.

For the fact that one has adorned himself with flamboyant regalia, costly royal beads that dangle from the neck to the knees, in addition to sky-touching red cap, including other intimidating paraphernalia, doesn't make the person a traditional ruler!

As the chief security officer in their respective domains, none of them could have condescended too low from their Olympian heights, to the level of the proverbial dog eating the bone that is hung on its neck. This act not only smacks of an aberration, but despicably abominable!

The Nigeria Police should therefore as a matter of urgency and necessity, tender an unreserved apology to the highly respected monarch for the inadvertent defamation of character, even though his picture wasn't published.

And in reciprocity, the royal father should forgive and forget, in tandem with the English proverb which says that "Aberration is the hallmark of Homo sapiens, while longanimous placability and condonation are the indicia of supramundane

 omniscience." 

Did I hear someone soliloquize "Uba abia kwa ozo," meaning that Uba is at it again. Well, I merely quoted the native English speakers, as the expression isn't my own fabrication. 

And finally, it is strongly advised that the Nigeria Police Force should always be meticulously guided by the axiom which states that "Surveillance should precede saltation." (Note: I don't mean 'salutation' as that word 'saltation' is devoid of orthographical error).