John Okello established for himself the rank of "Field Marshall" and, with his mob-battalions, established a reign of terror on the Islands. He broadcast bizarre threats and promises of death to all who might oppose him. He believed he was touched by God and demonstrated an eccentric attachment to symbolic numbers.
John Okello mwenyewe alijipachika cheo cha Jemedari Mkuu akishirikiana na bataliani zake zenye fujo walianzisha utawala wa vitisho ndani ya visiwa vya Unguja na Pemba. John Okello alitangaza vitisho visivyo vya kawaida na ahadi ya kifo kwa wote watakaojaribu kumpinga yeye. John Okello aliamini alikuwa akipokea maelekezo /dokezo kutoka kwa Mungu na akionyesha uwezo usiokuwa wa kawaida kwa kutumia nambari, kwa mfano tarehe 13 Januari, 1964, alitangaza ujumbe ufuatao."