FCT police spokesperson, others win at 2024 police awards
Superintendent Josephine Adeh, spokesperson of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, has emerged as the Police Public Relations Officer of the Year at the 2024 Nigeria Police Force Awards and Commendations ceremony held in Abuja on Wednesday night.
Adeh was honoured for her effective deployment of social media in enhancing police-citizen engagement and for her professionalism in managing security communication.
She edged out other strong contenders, DSP Chinaka Chioma of Abia State Command and SP Ikenganiya Anthony of Anambra State Command, to clinch the prestigious award.
The event, which spotlighted gallantry, integrity, and excellence within the force, also saw the officer-in-charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, FCT Command, SP Mustapha Mohammed, take home the Gallantry Award of the Year.
Mohammed was recognised for his operational bravery, beating CSP Isiyaku Suleiman of Katsina State Command and ASP Robinson Julius of Delta State Command.
SP Obi Sentome of the Zone 16 Cybercrime Section also received high commendations. He was praised and awarded for exemplary integrity after rejecting a $17,000 bribe offered to release a suspect in custody.
Inspector Nwuju Godstime of the Traffic Department, Elekahia Division in Rivers State, was named Traffic Warden of the Year, topping Inspectors Hussaini Jidauna of Adamawa and Alabi Kayode of Kwara State Commands.
In the Divisional Police Officer of the Year category, SP Garba Ibrahim of Jibia Division, Katsina State Command, emerged winner ahead of CSP Mohammed Padah (Nasarawa), CSP Ejike Alaribe (Imo), and the DPO of Ekpan, Delta State Command.
ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, Force PRO, was among several senior officers honoured with the 2024 Special Achievement Awards. Other recipients included AIG Asihatu Baju, DCP Ahmed Sanusi (Commander, Intelligence Response Team), CSP Shaba Gboayako (Chief Security Officer to the Imo State Governor), and CSP Ameh Lydia (Force Insurance Officer).
Area Commander for Owerri, Imo State, ACP Abattam Michael, won the Area Commander of the Year award, ahead of his counterparts from Karu, Nasarawa, ACP Amanyi Christopher and Area Commander, Bori, Rivers State Command, ACP Ali Gumel.
The Nigeria Police Force Cybercrime Centre, headed by CP Uche Henry, and the Force aviation unit (Police Pilots) received the Inspector General’s Special Recognition Awards.
In the sports category, CPL Juliet Chukwu of the Ebonyi State Command was named Police Sports Person of the Year, beating CPL Victor Ikechukwu (Police Training School, Benin) and CPL Oka Eworo (Police College, Ikeja).
In his address at the ceremony, Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police, commended the awardees for embodying courage, integrity, and excellence in service.
“The officers we celebrate today are not extraordinary because of fame or fortune. They are extraordinary because of their refusal to be ordinary. You are the embodiment of quiet heroism, and tonight, we stand in tribute to your legacy,” the IG said.
He described the awards as a deliberate shift from routine recognition to merit-based celebration, stressing that the selection process was rigorous and transparent, with nominations drawn from across the force and final decisions made purely on merit and impact.
Egbetokun called on non-recipients to be inspired rather than discouraged, reminding them that “excellence is not a finish line; it is a daily standard.”
He also paid tribute to fallen officers, describing them as “eternal sentinels of peace,” and reiterated the force’s commitment to innovation and community-based policing.
“The future of policing in Nigeria must be smarter, faster, more trusted, and unapologetically people-focused,” he stated.
