SAEMA 2020: CSP Rabiu Garba Bags Security Officer of the Year
A Chief Superintendent of Police and DPO of Fegge, Onitsha Division of the Anambra State Police Command, CSP Rabiu Garba has emerged the Security Officer of the Year at the annual Security and Emergency Management Awards (SAEMA) 2020 held in Abuja.
The exemplary policing and professionalism Rabiu Garba has demonstrated over the years and which he brought to bear in handling a delicate situation during then EndSARS protest earned him this coveted award.
His story is well known to Nigerians. An indigene of Yobe State, northeast of Nigeria, CSP Garba is just about the most popular and most liked police officer in the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra state today. During the tempestuous EndSARS protest period, irate mob that was going around the town looking for police officers to lynch and police stations to burn topped to his station.
The officers and men of the station were highly terrified and battle-ready. But he warned his men not to fire a shot. He courageously came out and immediately the mob saw him, their songs changed from war songs to songs of praise for him. He addressed them and counselled them on the need to remain peaceful and maintain order. They not only remained calm and peaceful but began to hail him. The boys retreated while assuring him nothing will happen to him, his men or his station. At a time police officers were hunted like game across the state, some residents of Fegge even made food and brought to him just to ensure that he is fine in the face of the deadly crisis.
But CSP Rabiu Garba is everything you desire in a fine police officer. He respects human rights. He knows the law. His interest in justice is superb. Garba is highly disciplined and cannot be bought to pervert justice. He respects the poor as he respects the rich. He built a borehole for the neighbourhood without any fundraising.
He organizes soccer tournaments for the youths of Fegge at their stadium where he also goes to play table tennis weekly. For Rabiu Garba, Fegge is his home. Fegge is his community. He has attended almost every church and every event in the area as he is invited because he is accepted as one of them.
The youthful police officer has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Anthropology from the University of Maiduguri where he emerged the best student in his year. He also won Best Marksmanship during his training at the Police Mobile Training College, Gwoza in 2009.
Prior to his current position, Garba served in various capacities including as Officer in Charge, Surveillance at the Rivers State Police Command, Admin Officer, Unit Command, 10 PMF Bauchi, Assistant Squadron Commander, 54 PMF Onitsha, among others.
Garba has received well over 40 excellence awards for his exemplary character, professionalism and commitment to duty. These include,
• Civil Liberty Organisation, Anambra State Award of Excellence, 2020
• Diocese on the Niger (Anglican Communion), Chapel of Praise, DMGS – Lifetime Achievement Award, 2020
• Nigerian Bar Association, Onitsha Branch – Exemplary & Excellent Conduct in Service Award 2020
• Pan African Leadership Award – most Outstanding DPO of the Year 2016
• Onitsha Country Club – DPO of the Year for Excellence in Security of Life & Property 2015
• Ndigbo Youth Forum – Best South Eastern Crimefighter 2014
CSP is happily married with children.
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SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AWARD WINNERS 2020
INSTITUTIONAL CATEGORIES
Public Information
Nigerian Customs Service
……………………………………
Crime Prevention
Nigerian Correctional Service
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Intelligence Service
Department of State Security
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Community Service
Airtel
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Civil Military Relations
Nigerian Army
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Emergency Management
Emergency Communication Centre of Nigeria Communication Commission (National)
Dr. Mohammed Goje of Yobe Emergency Management Agency (State)
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SPECIAL CATEGORIES
Corporate social Responsibility
National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)
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Training Institute of the Year
Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College
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Cybercrime Prevention
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibadan Branch
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Humanitarian Service
NEEM Foundation
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Volunteer Group
Kontagora Security Service
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Private Security Firm
Profile Security Service
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INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES
Emergency Journalism
Austin Peacemakers
……………………………………
Law Enforcement Officer
Commander Alfred Adewunmi/Kogi NDLEA
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Crisis Manager
Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner Internal Security Kaduna
……………………………………
Gallantry
Commandant Ahmed Abodurin(NSCDC)/ Agro Ranger of NSCDC
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Security Officer of the Year
CSP Rabiu Garba of the Nigeria Police Force
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Military Officer of the Year
Captain Peter Gambo of the Nigerian Navy
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Minister of the Year
Dr Isa Pantami
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CERTIFICATES OF EXCELLENCE (INDIVIDUALS)
1. Col. Timothy Antigha of MNJTF
2. Comptroller Ahmed Usman of NIS Lagos Airport
3. CSP Ibrahim O. Mohammed of NPF Borno
4. Air Commodore PN Amadi of NAF
5. Ahmed Indimi of Reuters
6. Ohaeri Osondu of FRSC
CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE (ORGANISATIONS)
1. Al-Imran Foundation
2. Federal Fire Service
3. National Emergency Management Agency
4. Independent Corrupt Practises Commission
5. Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit
6. West Africa Network of Peacebuilders
