Frank Oditah
Former Commissioner of Police, Frank Oditah Passes Away in Lagos: Ibusa Mourns
By Emeka Esogbue
The death has been announced of Mr. Frank Oditah, who died on Friday in Lagos.
The cause of the death is not yet known to PEN MASTER as of press time, but sources say he had been going for frequent medical check-ups recently.
Retired Commissioner of Police, Mr. Frank Oditah, is considered one of the best hands the Nigerian Police had in terms of resourcefulness.
The Ibusa-born Police Chief was in his life dedicated to fighting security challenges in the country and is best known for Security Watch, a television program he regularly presented as the host.
Mr. Oditah was community-oriented and also a strong member of the Ibusa Community Development Union (ICDU), who assisted the community in different areas possible.
Meanwhile, tributes have continued to pour in from several quarters of Ibusa, his hometown, since the news broke on Friday.
A former member of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Pat Mozea, has mourned the loss of the Security Chief. He wrote, “Uncle Frank Odita, a very, very good man. A complete gentleman… I talked with him earlier this month, not knowing it was going to be my last conversation with him….what a sad day!
Uncle, may your gentle soul rest in peace.”
Earlier, a former Vice President-General, of the Ibusa Community Development Union, Mr. Victor Asiana, who published his tribute in the Ibusa Development Forum, said, “I recall nostalgically, how the idea of ICP (Ibusa Community Police) started. I recall how he used his clout to take us to the then Commissioner of Police’s house, not his office, with all ease. And the Commissioner was almost lying on the floor with every obeisance to show respect for a former boss. May his soul rest in peace, and may his memory be a blessing.”
Announcing his passing Mr. Kelvin Njideaka, a member of the Ibusa Community Development Union, Lagos Mainland Branch, wrote, It is with a deep sense of submission to the will of God that I announce the passing on of our Diokpa, Rtd Commissioner of Police, Diokpa Odita who went to be with the Lord yesterday. Such a great loss to us at ICDU, Lagos Mainland, and IBUSA at large. May his soul and all the faithfully departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. May the good Lord grant those he left behind the fortitude to bear the loss.”
Going nostalgic, Stephen Muanya Nwabudike, a historian from the community, also wrote, “I was one of those that worked for him in his security outfit called Frankom Security. Working for him was my first experience as a paid worker. I note that he never owed workers’ salaries at any given time. He was a nice man who took me as one of his children, and I enjoyed working for him before leaving for my studies at the university. May the soul of the man who made my university admission possible rest in peace. Amen.”
In 2013, the late Mr. Frank Oditah described the police as the most disrespected profession in the country while calling on the government and organizations to invest in the officers and men of the police to get the best from them.
Mr. Frank Oditah will be missed by all.
