Teacher, Policeman
Johnbull Ekoi Kotingo was a Deputy Commissioner of Police best known for his humane dispositions, wit and intelligence in handling civil and criminal investigations during the 1990s to 2000s.
Synopsis
Johnbull Ekoi Kotingo (1947-2016) hails from Okumbiri community of Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. He joined the Nigeria Police force in the early 1970s and grew through the ranks to become Deputy Commissioner of Police before he retired in 2002; he was one the few Nigerian Police Officers that eschews bribery when prosecuting any low or high profiled case. Johnbull Kotingo was a staunch member of Deeper Life Bible Church, and he died peacefully in 2016.
Where and when was He Born?
Johnbull Ekoi Kotingo was born on 15 August 1947 at Okumbiri of Mein/Oyhiakiri clan of Sagbama Local Government Mid-West (now Bayelsa State) Nigeria.
Early Life and Family
His father’s name was Mr. Kotingo, a son of the great Tolubowei whose ancestry is linked to Ogboin kingdom in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and Mr. Kotingo was a polygamist. Johnbull Ekoi Kotingo’s mother was Gold Ere; she was from the Gbosombiri family of Agoro community of Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. His mother only gave birth to Johnbull Ekoi Kotingo and Afulani Kotingo his younger sister; his mother, unfortunately, passed on when he was only three years old in 1949.
Education
Johnbull Ekoi Kotingo attended the Church Missionary Society (CMS) Modern School, Okumbiri in the early 1950s and got his First Leaving Certificate and afterwards, he proceeded to the Secondary Modern School, Okumbiri and got his GCE (General Certificate of Education) in 1963.
His Career
He had a stint as a teacher at his Alma Mater Secondary Modern School, Okumbiri before he left for Lagos state. Johnbull Ekoi Kotingo was enlisted in the Nigerian Army force and resigned subsequently just before the Nigeria civil war of 1967. After leaving the Army, he pursued his lifelong goal of a career in law enforcement. He was recruited at the Ikeja Police College in the 1970s and posted to Degema Divisional Police Station in Rivers State. Johnbull Ekoi Kotingo had a remarkable conviction for his job as a police officer and its invaluable purpose in society. Being a police officer was all he wanted, it was his calling, and he loved his job. He rose through the ranks, attended several courses within and out of the country.
Places He Served
Johnbull Kotingo served as the Officer-in-Charge CID Port Harcourt and Calabar between 2000 and 2001; he was District Police Officer (DPO) at several Police Stations across the country. He was also once a Commandant of Police Training School, Area Commandant of Gboko, Officer-in-Charge State CID Makurdi and his last posting was Officer-in-Charge X-Squad Alagbon, Lagos state, Johnbull Ekoi Kotingo severed as the Deputy Commissioner of Police till his retirement from the Police Force in 2002.
Life after Retirement
After, Johnbull Ekoi Kotingo retired from the force he was made the Chairman of Retired Police Officers Association until 2016. He was once a member of Bayelsa State Security Advisory Committee during Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s tenure as Governor of the State from 2004 to 2006.
Johnbull Ekoi Kotingo’s Faith
Firstly, Johnbull Ekoi Kotingo was a member of the Jehovah’s Witness in his youthful age, and he later got converted, and he joined the Deeper Life Bible Church in 1986.
Wife and Children
Johnbull Ekoi Kotingo was married to Mrs. Flora Waidei Kotingo in the early 1970s and the couple when on to have eight (8) dutiful and resourceful children together.
His Death
He died on 10 June 2016 at 9.45am in Yenagoa, and he was buried afterwards in Okumbiri Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. He was 69 years old.
Johnbull Ekoi Kotingo will always be remembered for his kind dispositions and also his uncanny ability to resolve issues.
