Prelate Uche’s Abduction: CSP Johnbull In Trouble; May Be Dismissed

By Adesina Soyooye

For his unprofessionalism and reckless speech, CSP Johnbull, will be slammed with one of the following: Letter of advice, Letter of Warning, Discipline, Severe Discipline, Reduction in Rank, Termination of Appointment, or outright dismissal from the NPF

A Chief Superintend of Police, CSP Johnbull is in trouble. He faces three hurdles over what has been described as an unprecedented unprofessional behaviour, in the face of crisis by a senior Police Officer.

His trouble began with the abduction of the Prelate of the Methodist Church in Nigeria, His Eminence Dr Samuel Uche on Sunday, May 30, at Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.

The Prelate who was on his way to Owerri Airport to catch a flight back to Lagos, after Apostolic duties at Isuochi when he was abducted. Kidnapped with him were the Bishop of Owerri Diocese, Dennis Mark, and the Prelate’s Chaplain.

The kidnap sparked a protest by Umunneochi youths. And that was where Johnbull’s trouble started.

Apparently sent by the Commissioner for Police, Abia State to arrest the situation, Johnbull, perhaps carried away by the situation  at hand, joined the protesters. He became one of them. And spoke like a very angry protester.

Without evidence or any investigation, while addressing the protesters, he laid the incessant kidnappings in the area at the foot  of the Fulani. Worse, he accused Soldiers deployed, and stationed in the area of connivance in many abductions in the community by looking elsewhere. The protesting youths roared in agreement.

Johnbull had no permission to speak, especially, as a superior officer, an Assistant Commissioner of Police was the one who led the operation.

In the video of his unprofessional handling of the situation which went  viral on Wednesday, the CSP said:

“My name is CSP Johnbull, Commander Rapid Response Squad, Abia State Police Command. I was sent here by the Commissioner of Police two days ago to come and assist the people of Isuochi to do away with all these kidnappers, the Fulanis, who are kidnapping our people.

“Our people who are coming home, they are kidnapping them. We are not happy about it.

“Yesterday night, I sent my men to the Garki cattle market. They (kidnappers) go there to spend money after kidnapping our people.

“They will collect ransom, they will go and spend it there (cattle market) The army is not helping us”

Now, his battle has multiplied. First, his Commissioner will query him. Depending on his response, he will face the Force Disciplinary Committee, which will make recommendations on his fate, and forward the the Inspector General of Police.

The IGP will make his own recommendations, and forward to the Police Service Commission which has the final say on his case.

He faces one of these sanctions: Letter of advice, Warning, Discipline, Severe discipline, Reduction in rank, termination of appointment, or outright dismissal.

Reacting to the video, Muyiwa Adejobi, Force  Spokesperson, in a statement on Wednesday,  decried the unprofessional and unguarded utterances of the officer which he said  do not represent the principles and ideals of the force.

Said the statement:

“The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to a video making the rounds in some sections of the media where a Chief Superintendent of Police of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), attached to the Abia State Police Command, while on special duty at Umunneochi L.G.A of the State following the kidnap of some members of the community on Sunday 29th May, 2022, was seen addressing a crowd in an unapproved and unprofessional manner by attacking a particular ethnic group and casting aspersions on other security agencies.

“It is pertinent to state that the officer was at the location to carry out a rescue operation led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police.

“He had no locus standi to address the press or any group of persons, as such is the sole responsibility of the Commissioner of Police, and the Police Public Relations Officer, or at least his superior in rank who was also at the scene.

“The Inspector General of Police acknowledges, and will continually appreciate the robust synergy enjoyed over time from the military and other security agencies in maintaining internal security, even as he assured that the erring officer will face the disciplinary procedures of the Force for his unguarded indiscretions.”

The protesting youths   issued a seven-day ultimatum to both the Federal and State Governments to relocate the cattle market and remove all military checkpoints in the area.

Prelate Uche, who is a son of the area, the Bishop of Owerri, and the Prelate’s Chaplain, were released on Monday evening after the payment of N100 ransom to the abductors.