Peter Gana: The Coming Of A Super Cop

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE & LUCKY LAWAL

The Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID) is the highest investigating arm of the Nigeria Police. Under this department, you will also find the Special Anti Robbery Squad.

 Over the years, this arm of the FCIID had been known for busting high level criminal activities and as well being in the news for the wrong reasons. Following the outrage and several complaints from different quarters about the activities of the squad, the Inspector General of Police, in a bid reorganize the squad for better effectiveness moved it to operate under the Department of Operations at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

At the Lagos end, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris, having looked at the tasking nature of policing a megacity, needed to deploy an officer with a proven record. Hence, the deployment of the Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP Peter Gana, as the Officer in Charge of the reorganised Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad, FSARS.

In the midst of agitations for the reorganization of the squad, the appointment of Gana was a huge relief to many residents of Lagos State because he was well known for his humility, intelligence and professionalism, having done his jobs previously with a human face. He came at a period when the people were disenchanted over the operations of FSARS; people lived in fear, panic and trembled over what might happen the next moment.

But the anxiety suddenly disappeared almost immediately CSP Gana took over the leadership of FSARS at the Lagos Command. The once dreaded SARS now have a human face; officers now smile while diligently performing their duties unlike in the past when the squad was known for their lack of civility, brutality and torture. Thanks to Gana’s efforts as he brought his midas touch on the job; the officers and the work environment changed completely.

Indeed, CSP Gana knew that the task ahead of him and the squad was enormous and he was equally prepared. So when the appointment came, he did not waste any time in setting the ball rolling. Many officers knew that the right man was appointed by the IGP. No wonder before his coming the PPRO, Zone 2, CSP Dolapo Badmus, while announcing the appointment of Gana as the new OC FSARS, Lagos Command, made it clear that Gana was coming to sanitize the place. He has not disappointed as he has so far met the expectations of the senior officers and most Lagosians.

P.M.EXPRESS findings revealed that Gana has greatly transformed the place by instilling discipline in the officers with strict compliance to the rules of engagement. He has ensured that all the officers do wear their uniforms as directed by the IGP in his reorganization bid. So far, the era of brutal torture and extortion had become a thing of past because he had emphasised his preparedness to deal with any officer caught with in any form of indiscipline.
He was equipped before he joined that Nigerian Police, having attended both primary and secondary schools before proceeding to the higher institutions of learning. Gana is a graduate of Mathematics Education and Political Science from two prestigious universities in Nigeria- ABU and UniAbuja respectively.

Mr. Gana got enlisted in the Nigerian Police on 25th June, 1994, as a Cadet Inspector and was posted to Kabba Division, Kogi State in 1996. In 1997, he was moved to Anti-Robbery Squad, Zone 8, Lokoja, and from there to Federal Highway Patrol as Inspector Admin (1998-2001). He was PA to CP Federal Highway Patrol (2001-2003), PA to Commissioner of Police in Plateau State (2003-2004). Mr. Gana from there had been Personal Assistant to CP FIB (2004-2005), Personal Assistant to CP Ondo State (2005-2006), Divisional Crime Officer, Ore Division (2006-2008), Divisional Crime Officer, Enuowa Division (2009-2010), Personal Assistant to Commandant, Police Staff College, Jos, (2010-2012), Personal Assistant to AIG, Zone 2, Onikan (2012), Team Leader SARS Ikeja, 2i/c SARS Ikeja (2012-2014), OC SARS, Zone 2, Onikan (2014-2016), Officer-in-Charge  Eagle Crack Squad, Port Harcourt (2016-2017), Operations Officer, IGP Special Tactical Squad, Abuja (2017-2018), before his deployment as Officer-in-Charge FSARS, Ikeja, Lagos, having worked in different capacities in several places.
Barely few months that he had occupied the position, many residents of Lagos have noted the transformational strides of Gana and equally commended him including the media. Recently, he was conferred with awards of excellence by two media organizations namely the National Mirror Newspapers and Ayokoto Reporters, who commended his efforts in ensuring that FSARS returned to glory days once again.