Crime fighter, peacemaker — meet the highest ranking female police officer in Nigeria

On Thursday, Ibrahim Idris, inspector-general of police (IGP),
decorated Patience Ibekwe Abdallah, a police officer, promoted to
deputy inspector-general of police (DIG). The Police Service
Commission (PSC) had approved the promotion of three assistant
inspectors-general of police (AIGs) to the position of DIGs. Among
these officers, Abdallah is the only woman, meaning she is an inch
closer to making history as Nigeria’s first female
inspector-general of police.

Before becoming an AIG, she was appointed the commissioner of
police in Ebonyi state in 2015. When she assumed duty in the state,
Abdallah introduced ‘Show of Force’ and ‘Walk Down Crime’ as
measures to tackle crime.

“Even a dare-devil criminal will not stand during the Show of
Force. We will intensify it to include early morning from 5:30 am
to 7:30 am in case of any eventuality,” she said while flagging off
the programmes in the state.

Abdallah also partnered with stakeholders and the measures
reportedly yielded results and the police under her watch was able
to tackle crime to a large extent. She also ordered the dismantling
of checkpoints allegedly used to exploit motorists.

“I see security of lives and property as my first obligation. I
am always happy seeing people sleeping with their two eyes closed
everyday,” she told Guardian ^[1]in an interview
2016.

“I am happy each time I hear that people of the state move about
without molestation from anybody. I wake up everyday thinking about
the security of the people and once I’m able to ensure their
safety, my day is made.

“So I will say that protection of lives and property is the
motivating factor.”

Abdallah also worked hard to restore peace in troubled
communities. Moved by her exploits, the Okada Riders Union in the
state conferred with the title of “NNE Oma (good mother) of Ebonyi
state”.

David Umahi, governor of Ebonyi, once described her as a jovial
police officer.

“Her joviality should not be taken for granted because somebody
who smiles like her can be strict and even difficult. I am very
impressed with the Nigerian police of today,” Umahi had said at an
event.

In 2016, Abdallah had Ndubuisi Ewerem, a police officer,
arrested for allegedly defiling a seven-year-old girl.

“We don’t tolerate such act in the Nigerian police force,” the
then Ebonyi CP had told journalists.

“Whether rape or not, any act of defilement is a very serious
crime which must be dealt with. The suspect is under
detention.”

Born on April 7, 1963, Abdallah joined the police as a cadet
officer 29 years ago. She is from Odoje in Onitsha, Anambra state.
Mike Ibekwe, her father, retired as a commissioner of police. He
was in charge of the old east central state shortly after the civil
war ended in 1970.

She is married to Mustapha Abdallah, chairman of the National
Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).