Officer-in-Charge of SWAT in Akwa Ibom, others win at 2024 police awards

• CSP Ebong 

Kokoette Thompson Ebong, the Officer-in-Charge of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit at the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, on Wednesday, emerged as the Crime Buster of the Year during the 2024 Nigeria Police Force Awards and Commendations ceremony held in Abuja.

Ebong edged out other strong contenders, including CSP Odeyeyiwa Oladimeji, the Commander of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Abia State Command, and ASP Otu Mark Louis of the Quick Response Unit of the Kogi State Command, to clinch the prestigious award.

Ebong, a Chief Superintendent of Police, was honoured for his outstanding leadership and dedication to fighting crime in Akwa Ibom State. His tactical operation in January 2025, which led to the successful rescue of a kidnapped director from the Ministry of Justice and his niece, was particularly noteworthy.

Acting on intelligence, his SWAT team located some kidnappers’ hideout in Ikot Ukpong village, Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, where the victims were found unharmed in an abandoned soakaway, while two suspects were neutralised during the operation.

The ceremony which spotlighted acts of bravery, integrity, and excellence within the police force also saw SP Mustapha Mohammed, the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit at the FCT Command, take home the Gallantry Award of the Year.

SP Obi Sentome from the Zone 16 Cybercrime Section was recognized for his integrity after he turned down a $17,000 bribe to release a suspect in custody.

Inspector Nwuju Godstime of the Traffic Department in the Elekahia Division of Rivers State was named Traffic Warden of the Year, surpassing Inspectors Hussaini Jidauna from Adamawa and Alabi Kayode from Kwara State Commands.

In theDivisional Police Officer of the Year category, SP Garba Ibrahim of the Jibia Division in Katsina State Command emerged victorious, outpacing CSP Mohammed Padah (Nasarawa), CSP Ejike Alaribe (Imo), and the DPO of Ekpan, Delta State Command.

Among the senior officers honored with the 2024 Special Achievement Awards was Force Public Relations Officer ACP Muyiwa Adejobi. Other recipients included AIG Asihatu Baju, DCP Ahmed Sanusi (Commander of the Intelligence Response Team), CSP Shaba Gboayako (Chief Security Officer to the Imo State Governor), and CSP Ameh Lydia (Force Insurance Officer).

ACP Abattam Michael, the Area Commander for Owerri in Imo State, was awarded Area Commander of the Year, ahead of his peers ACP Amanyi Christopher from Karu, Nasarawa, and ACP Ali Gumel from the Bori, Rivers State Command.

The Nigeria Police Force Cybercrime Centre, led by CP Uche Henry, and the Force’s aviation unit (Police Pilots) received the Inspector General’s Special Recognition Awards.

In the sports category, CPL Juliet Chukwu from the Ebonyi State Command was named Police Sports Person of the Year, outperforming CPL Victor Ikechukwu from the Police Training School in Benin and CPL Oka Eworo from the Police College in Ikeja.

Addressing attendees at the ceremony, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, 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.

© Raymond Ekpe