Alagbon FCID Annex: A New Sheriff Is In Town!
“As she is making the necessary impact, cracking down on criminal activity as well at FCID Alagbon Annex, and working hard to make the popular lingo, ‘ police is your friend’ becomes a reality, the general consensus among the officers and men who work with her is that ” a new Sheriff is in Town!”
In the late 80s, when the famous musician Orlando Owoh, popularly known as Kenery Master sang about his experience at FCID Alagbon Annex, it was because of the notoriety of the police formation.
The song goes thus: ” Ti won ba mu de Alagbon, orisirisi ara ni won nda…Mo mo anti Ayo lalagbon”. It literally meant that if you’re unfortunate to be dragged to Alagbon, you’re going to be tortured.
Incidentally, the only police officer he mentioned then as having humane face and diligence on the work, Anti Ayo died a couple of months ago.
A visit to Alagbon FCID Annex nowadays has changed that negative impression about the place. This was due to the new innovating and open door policy of the Assistant Inspector – General of Police now in charge. AIG Margaret Ochalla is quite different from most of the former officers in charge of the Alagbon FCID Annex.
Apart from the fact that the place is wearing a new look, AIG Ochalla operates open door policy. She does not suffer fools gladly. And once she resumed in the morning ,she’ll be at her duty post until 10.00pm most of the time.
AIG Ochalla, a distinguished police officer who has won many laurels because of her diligence and humanitarian operations in service, always ensures that no one is detained at the Alagbon facility on trumped up charges and outdated laws. At every point, especially on weekends, AIG Ochalla is always checking at the cells to ensure that any detainee without serious threat hanging on his neck is allowed to go home or granted bail without much ado.
A native of Yala Local Government Area in Cross River State, AIG Margaret Ochalla who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the prestigious Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Conflict Resolution and Refugee Management and a Master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, has received many awards for her outstanding contributions to the policing and being a role model to many in Nigeria both nationally and internationally.
Recently, Her advocacy efforts have garnered international recognition, with AIG Ochalla receiving awards such as the Global Women Hall of Fame award presented by the Sheik of Dubai, and the African Women Leadership Award, which was bestowed upon her by Ghanaian President John Mahama Dramani in far away South Africa.
She’s also a recipient of the Arise News award as one of the 65 prominent women shaping the country positively in March 2025.
For AIG Margaret Ochalla, police officers and men must respect the freedom of human rights, which Nigeria was a signatory to.
She has also ensured that her operation is in tandem with the IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun’s vision of the Nigeria Police.
As she is making the necessary impact, cracking down on criminal activity with her ‘toothy smile’ as well at FCID Alagbon Annex, and working hard to make the popular lingo, ‘ police is your friend’ becomes a reality, the general consensus among the officers and men who work with her is that ” a new Sheriff is in Town!”
