Spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, Superintendent Josephine Adeh, has been crowned the Police Public Relations Officer of the Year at the 2024 Nigeria Police Force Awards and Commendations Ceremony, which held Wednesday night in Abuja.
Adeh was honoured for her exceptional use of social media to enhance police-citizen communication and for her professionalism in handling security-related public information. She emerged ahead of other strong contenders including DSP Chinaka Chioma of Abia State Command and SP Ikenganiya Anthony of Anambra State Command.
The award ceremony, organised by the Nigeria Police Force to recognise gallantry, integrity, professionalism, and excellence within the service, saw a number of standout officers receive accolades in different categories.
In the Gallantry Award of the Year category, SP Mustapha Mohammed, Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, FCT Command, was recognised for operational bravery. He beat out CSP Isiyaku Suleiman from Katsina State Command and ASP Robinson Julius from Delta State Command.
The night also celebrated moral integrity, with SP Obi Sentome of the Zone 16 Cybercrime Section receiving an award for rejecting a $17,000 bribe from suspects in custody. The act was widely praised as a strong demonstration of ethical leadership and service.
In the Traffic Warden of the Year category, Inspector Nwuju Godstime of the Elekahia Division, Rivers State, won ahead of Inspectors Hussaini Jidauna (Adamawa) and Alabi Kayode (Kwara).
For his outstanding leadership, SP Garba Ibrahim, Divisional Police Officer of Jibia Division, Katsina State Command, emerged DPO of the Year, defeating fellow nominees CSP Mohammed Padah (Nasarawa), CSP Ejike Alaribe (Imo), and the DPO of Ekpan, Delta State Command.
The Force’s Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, was among several senior officers who received the 2024 Special Achievement Award. Other top brass included:
AIG Asihatu Baju
DCP Ahmed Sanusi, Commander, Intelligence Response Team (IRT)
CSP Shaba Gboayako, Chief Security Officer to the Governor of Imo State
CSP Ameh Lydia, Force Insurance Officer
ACP Abattam Michael, Area Commander for Owerri, Imo State, clinched the Area Commander of the Year Award, ahead of ACP Amanyi Christopher (Karu, Nasarawa) and ACP Ali Gumel (Bori, Rivers State Command).
Special recognition was also given to the Nigeria Police Cybercrime Centre, led by CP Uche Henry, and the Police Aviation Unit (Police Pilots), who both received the Inspector-General’s Special Recognition Awards for innovation and service excellence.
In the sports category, Corporal Juliet Chukwu of the Ebonyi State Command was named Police Sports Person of the Year, outshining CPL Victor Ikechukwu of the Police Training School, Benin, and CPL Oka Eworo of Police College, Ikeja.
Delivering a keynote address, Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, applauded all awardees for their steadfast commitment to service.
“The officers we celebrate today are not extraordinary because of fame or fortune. They are extraordinary because of their refusal to be ordinary,” the IG said. “You are the embodiment of quiet heroism, and tonight, we stand in tribute to your legacy.”
He emphasised that the awards mark a shift from routine commendations to merit-based recognition, with a transparent selection process involving nominations across all commands and final selections based strictly on merit and impact.
IG Egbetokun also encouraged non-recipients to draw inspiration rather than disappointment, saying:
“Excellence is not a finish line; it is a daily standard.”
The IG took time to honour fallen officers, whom he described as “eternal sentinels of peace.” He reaffirmed the force’s renewed commitment to community-based policing, technological innovation, and rebuilding public trust.
“The future of policing in Nigeria must be smarter, faster, more trusted, and unapologetically people-focused,” he added.
This year’s event not only spotlighted the accomplishments of Nigeria’s finest police officers but also reflected the force’s efforts toward improving transparency, professionalism, and citizen engagement.
