A Preacher in Police Uniform

                                Sergeant Ekerete Akpan
In  Calabar, Cross River State, a police officer is combining security service with preaching of the gospel on the streets and within police barracks to stop corruption in the police service and curb crime in the city, writes Jude Okwe
If there’s any organisation in the country with the most battered image, it is the Nigerian Police Force (NPF). Accused of corruption, extra judicial killings, lies, aiding and abetting crime, armed robbery and all kinds of
injustice, the NPF is a paradox.
But one policeman in Calabar, Cross River State, Sergeant Ekerete Akpan, is helping out to change the public perception that has given the police force a battered image.  Akpan is turning around this law enforcement agency with evangelism, preaching the word of God to his colleagues and members of the public.

Yes, Akpan has become a common sight in police uniform at market squares, roundabout, strategic corners, police stations/barracks, roadways and petrol stations preaching the gospel.

To be sure, when Akpan enlisted into the force on September 1, 1991 as a constable, preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ was not part of the deal. But five years later, precisely on January 1, 1996, he found himself facing up to a large number of people on a non-denominational pulpit talking about the kingdom of God. So Akpan is an unusual policeman who wants to change the culture of bribery and injustice  common with the police through his pastoral work.

“I have no problem combining the two. God called me and prepared me first in the police to save lives. Through my evangelism, many policemen and women have surrendered their lives to God. They now have the fear of God. I thank God who is using me to change the image of the Nigerian police.
‘Most officers in the Cross River State command now know God. We now have worship centres at the state headquarters, Mobile Police Unit 11, Otop Abasi Area Command and Odukpani police station. We are spreading gradually”, he told THISDAY.

For Akpan, the road was not a smooth one. His colleagues were against it, but they have now embraced him with his second calling. They are giving support to his street preaching. Such officers who were opposed to Akpan’s street preaching now conveniently pray with him and offer support to him.  Indeed, Akpan has become a delight to his colleagues who observe him preached to a large number of people on the streets in police uniform.

“During the 2011 general elections,” he said, “We prayed together at the police headquarters before going out to maintain law and order for the duration of the exercise. We specifically prayed to God to help us do our job without problems. We also prayed for peace. We are grateful to God for seeing us through that one month exercise.”

Once he received God’s invitation to work in his vineyard, Akpan commenced his pastoral work preaching to his colleagues first. Soon, a senior police officer came to his assistance by donating a motorcycle and loudspeakers to him. This gift from the officer facilitated his movement; hence he became an itinerant preacher. The motorbike became his identity in Calabar where he moves from one location to another to preaching the word of God.

And a day came in the life of Akpan.  He told THISDAY that after preaching the gospel somewhere, God directed him to Palm Street in Calabar South.  “There is a man who has been admiring me preaching in police uniform. He saw me coming on my motorcycle and he flagged me down,” Akpan said.

Initially Akpan was skeptical but nevertheless, he applied the brakes.  Then, the next thing he heard was the voice of the man.  He said: “The man simply told me to go and learn how to drive and return to him. I did. He then donated a camry car to support my work.”

And with that, Akpan has been seen in Calabar he carries all the musical instruments including nine band members to wherever he wants to preach. The vehicle is fitted with two loudspeakers facing opposite directions. As he drives along, gospel messages or music blare from them. This vehicle painted in white has the inscription “Evangelistic Rescue Operation for Jesus Christ” on it.

The mobile evangelist who is a member of the Assemblies of God Mission (AGM),  said he is yet to hear from God whether to establish his own church but noted that he was contented for now preaching His word. However, his preoccupation today is the establishment of worship centres in all police formations. He is convinced that the presence of these places of worship in police stations and barracks will go a long way in refining officers and men of the force.

“A lot of things are changing in the Nigerian Police Force. I want the fear of God to enter the police. When the fear of God enters, there will be no more sudden deaths, accidents, sorrows, temptation and corruption. For example, God directed me to get a house at Anantigha, an area in Calabar South notorious for crime. But the moment I moved into No. 5, Reverend Mbukpa Close, I prayed to God for a change. Many young men repented while others ran away to Akwa Ibom State”, he said.

This father of five revealed that owing to his additional calling, he no longer goes on operation with his colleagues but rather work in the office making time for preaching outside official hours. “My ministry has been praying for the Cross River State Government. We are praying to God for improvement in the economic fortune of the state. I spend N13,000 each time I go out to preach. Let the state government support those into the work of God”, he added.

“I obtained a loan from the bank to buy a complete set of musical equipment. I have nine boys who play the instruments. I don’t pay them as they just sacrifice for the work of God. But if someone gives us money, we share it. We thank God for the strength to do His work. We also thank Him for the commissioners of police we have been having in the state. They have all been God fearing. They love the truth. My advice to all police men and women is that they should surrender their lives to God who can see them through”, Akpan said.

To this Ikono, Akwa Ibom State born police sergeant, if every police man and woman in the country is conscious of the watchful eyes of God, corruption and other vices associated with the force will not be there. He argued that members of the force can still make it without associating themselves with the allegation of graft. God’s child does not lack.

Akpan do cause a scene in Calabar whenever he is preaching. Some come to listen to the word of God while others come to confirm if the police too know God. From whatever perspective you look at the Nigerian Police Force, one thing is certain: God is winning souls in that fold to give it a good image through the effort of one man.