• Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
    • Government
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
PRNIGERIA PRNigeria News
PRNIGERIA PRNIGERIA
  • Home
  • Anti-Corruption
    • Engr Abba Babagana Dalori

      Engr Dalori Forfeits Galaxy Hospital, Petrol Station, Properties & Cash

      Chinese nationals jailed in Lagos

      Court Jails Nine Chinese Nationals for Cybercrime in Lagos

      ASUU

      Tackle Corruption, Institutional Decay – ASUU Charges FG

      EFCC Arraigns Bauchi Accountant General Over N8bn Fraud as Court Sentences…

      PRNigeria logo fearured image

      EFCC Arraigns Ex-Convict, Other for Naira Abuse in Lagos

  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
    • Comptroller General Nigerian Customs Bashir Adewale

      Customs Moves Against 223 Importers in N379bn Permit Breach

      Bashir Adewale Adeniyi Customs Boss

      How Customs is Tightening Borders to Stop Illicit Cash Flows –…

      Customs boss, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi with NAFDAC DG Professor Moji Adeyeye

      Codeine, Tramadol Worth ₦20.5bn Seized as Customs-NAFDAC Cooperation Deepens

      Acting Controller General of Customs, Nigerian Customs Services, NSC, Ag. CG Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

      Adeniyi Inaugurates Lagos School Renovated by Nigeria Customs 

      Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada

      Customs’ Maiwada Named Among Nigeria’s 50 Most Influential PR Voices

  • National
    • Comptroller General Nigerian Customs Bashir Adewale

      Customs Moves Against 223 Importers in N379bn Permit Breach

      Dr. Ibrahim Bello Emir of Gusau

      His Death is a National Loss – Tinubu Mourns Emir of…

      Bashir Adewale Adeniyi Customs Boss

      How Customs is Tightening Borders to Stop Illicit Cash Flows –…

      Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN)

      LPPC Elevates Nasarawa SSG, Osun AG, S/Court Judge’s Son, Ayodeji, 53…

      Niger Police Rescue 37 Human Trafficking Victims, Arrest 10 Suspects

    • Government
      • Leon Usigbe

        Tinubu Mourns Veteran State House Correspondent, Leon Usigbe

        Dr. Ibrahim Bello, Emir of Gusau

        Tinubu, NUJ, Police, and Military Mourn the Death of Gusau Emir

        Dr. Ibrahim Bello Emir of Gusau

        His Death is a National Loss – Tinubu Mourns Emir of…

        Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN)

        LPPC Elevates Nasarawa SSG, Osun AG, S/Court Judge’s Son, Ayodeji, 53…

        Police Officer

        Police Bust Notorious Kidnapping, Sea Piracy Syndicate, Arrest 5 Suspects in…

  • Security
    • Police Arrest 22 Cultists in Ogun

      Police Officer

      Enugu Police Raid IPOB/ESN Hideout, Nab 25 Militants, Recover Firearms

      Troops Eliminate Notorious Bandit Kingpin ‘Dan Dari Biyar’ in Sokoto Operation

      PRNigeria logo fearured image

      COAS Endorses NDC’s Research on Advanced Military Technologies

      Police Officer

      Anambra Police Arrest Suspected Child Trafficker, Rescue 11 Abducted Children

  • Features
    • Leon Usigbe

      Death, you can’t be Proud of this By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem 

      Tinubu’s Plateau Gambit – Yilwatda, 2027, and the Return of the…

      Ozumi and a recipient of a wheelchair

      Wheels of Hope: How a Simple Gift is Reshaping Lives at…

      Late Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari and Mansur Liman

      “Buhari: A Blunt, Honest Leader Who Laughed at His Own Predicament”

      Intelligence Synergy: Reshaping Nigeria’s Security Architecture, By Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi

  • State
    • Police Officer

      Enugu Police Raid IPOB/ESN Hideout, Nab 25 Militants, Recover Firearms

      Troops Eliminate Notorious Bandit Kingpin ‘Dan Dari Biyar’ in Sokoto Operation

      Dr. Ibrahim Bello, Emir of Gusau

      Tinubu, NUJ, Police, and Military Mourn the Death of Gusau Emir

      Police Officer

      Anambra Police Arrest Suspected Child Trafficker, Rescue 11 Abducted Children

      Dr. Ibrahim Bello Emir of Gusau

      His Death is a National Loss – Tinubu Mourns Emir of…

  • Event
    • Cross section of participants and guests at the Kaduna State Chapter world PR day

      Kaduna NIPR Urges Students to Embrace Evolving PR Landscape

      Engr. Saleeman Adedoyin Saleeman

      Global IT Leader Saleeman Adedoyin Launches Free Summer School in Ilorin…

      Celestine Achi, AI in PR specialist

      BOOK REVIEW: AI is Reshaping PR—Celestine Achi Shows Us How

      Saudi Arabia’s ‘Sleeping Prince’ Dies Weeks After PRNigeria Debunked Viral Recovery…

      Young Muhammadu Buhari jnr

      A Young Buhari’s Poetic Tribute to a Leader By Yushau A….

    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Home Features IGP Egbetokun’s Tonic for Service and Salute By Dahiru M. Lawal
  • Features
  • General
  • National

IGP Egbetokun’s Tonic for Service and Salute By Dahiru M. Lawal

By
Dahiru M. Lawal
-
June 11, 2025
IGP Kayode Egbetokun at the event
IGP Kayode Egbetokun at the event

IGP Egbetokun’s Tonic for Service and Salute By Dahiru M. Lawal

“You should attend the police award ceremony!”

My good friend and staunch supporter, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Zayd ibn Isah, casually suggested during the naming ceremony of my first child, Hammad. Later, he followed up with a formal invitation via WhatsApp.

If there’s anyone I know who nurtures relationships with genuine loyalty and devotion, it is Zayd—focused, fiercely loyal, and generous with his time and goodwill. A lawyer, writer, and strategic communicator, he currently serves as media aide to the Chairman of the Police Service Commission. He has also been an unwavering supporter of Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, especially during periods of intense media scrutiny and orchestrated misinformation campaigns aimed at discrediting the Police boss.

It was Zayd who introduced me to IGP Egbetokun when he was still the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja. Even before our meeting, the then-AIG had read and appreciated my book 101 Fake News on EndSARS, which he cited as instrumental in his PhD research in Peace and Security Studies.8

Since his appointment on June 21, 2023, as the 22nd indigenous Inspector General of Police, succeeding Usman Alkali Baba, IGP Egbetokun has had his hands full. Despite the inevitable scheduling constraints, we have occasionally kept in touch—enough for me to continue observing the trajectory of a reformist leadership rooted in discipline, empathy, and strategic visions.

Egbetokun’s stewardship has been defined by tangible reforms aimed at repositioning the Nigeria Police Force for operational excellence and public trust. He introduced the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) to handle high-risk threats and established the School Protection Squad (SPS) under the Safe Schools Initiative. Recognising the need for decent living conditions, he launched a Housing Summit and kicked off projects such as the Ijeh Barracks redevelopment in Lagos and new mobile barracks.

Digitally, his administration has driven automation of the Central Motor Registry and intensified cybercrime prevention. Operationally, the Force has recorded over 35,000 arrests and nearly 2,000 successful rescue operations. His community policing initiatives have also deepened engagement with local stakeholders, marking a shift toward people-oriented law enforcement.

Perhaps the most morale-boosting of his initiatives is the revival of the annual Nigeria Police Awards and Commendation Ceremony—designed to reward gallantry, professionalism, and integrity in service. It was the second edition of this laudable initiative, held on June 4, 2025, at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre in Jabi, Abuja, that Zayd urged me to attend.

The optics alone were striking. Officers in ceremonial attire snapping selfies. Senior police chiefs sharing rare smiles. Young cadets watching in awe, perhaps dreaming of their future moment in the spotlight. The ambience was lightened by the rhythmic melodies of the Police band and anchored by the inimitable Force PRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, alongside veteran actor Segun Arinze.

Read Also:

  • Death, you can’t be Proud of this By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem 
  • Tinubu Mourns Veteran State House Correspondent, Leon Usigbe
  • Police Arrest 22 Cultists in Ogun

The event radiated a national spirit of celebration—of unity and service. President Bola Tinubu, though represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, made a virtual appearance during the screening of The Patriot, a short film depicting the Police Force’s tactical brilliance in rescuing a kidnapped victim without succumbing to ransom demands. The film underscored two messages: the police can deliver results, and they need public trust to do even more.

Yet, The Patriot also revealed institutional limitations—disparities in resources, political interference, and equipment shortfalls that hamper equal performance across commands. It was a powerful reminder that sustained success in policing requires more than courage; it demands serious investment in personnel, tools, and infrastructure.

Among the evening’s highlights was the presentation of 16 well-earned awards. Notable recipients included: CSP Odeyeyiwa Oladimeji from Imo State was named Crime Buster of the Year, while CSP Wonwu Grace from Rivers State received the Detective of the Year award. The Rapid Response Team from Imo State clinched Patrol Team of the Year, and CPL Juliet Chukwu from Ebonyi was recognised as Sports Person of the Year.

SP Adeh Josephine from the FCT emerged as PPRO of the Year, and SP Garba Ibrahim from Katsina received the award for DPO of the Year. ACP Abattam Michael from Imo was honoured as Area Commander of the Year, while SP Mustapha Mohammed from the FCT received the Gallantry Award. Inspector Nwuju Godstime from Rivers State was acknowledged as Traffic Warder of the Year.

SP Obi Sentome from Zone 16 was notably honoured with both the Integrity Award, for rejecting a $17,000 bribe, and the prestigious title of Police Officer of the Year. A solemn tribute was also paid to ACP Udoh Cecilia Aniedy from Rivers State, who was posthumously recognised as Community Policing Advocate of the Year following her death in active service on May 3, 2025.

The gravity of these recognitions reflected the depth of the IGP’s commitment to institutional integrity and national pride.

“Tonight, we celebrate excellence in policing,” IGP Egbetokun remarked, beaming with pride. “This marks a shift from entitlement to merit, from routine to excellence.”

He emphasized that the awards were determined through a deliberate, transparent, and merit-based process, with nominations reaching from urban stations to the remotest outposts.

Senate President Akpabio, representing President Tinubu, described the occasion as a national tribute to resilience and professionalism. He called on officers to draw inspiration from their honoured colleagues and reaffirm their commitment to securing the nation. The event also featured goodwill messages from Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo and Police Affairs Minister Ibrahim Geidam.

The IGP’s Special Recognition segment acknowledged exceptional work in specialised fields such as legal services, public relations, and healthcare. Among them was my elder brother, ACP Ahmed Wakil, PPRO of Bauchi State, whose honour added a personal touch of pride to the evening.

Watching officers from diverse commands beam with joy as they received medals and handshakes from the IGP was profoundly moving. It reaffirmed that true leadership is not just about giving orders; it’s about inspiring purpose and dignity in service.

IGP Egbetokun’s tenure may not resolve all challenges facing the Nigeria Police Force, but his reforms are undoubtedly a tonic—an invigorating blend of empathy, vision, and execution. They salute the sacrifices of officers and renew hope in public service.

At a time when cynicism clouds our institutions, Egbetokun’s model offers something rare: a belief that the Police can be more than just a badge—they can be a beacon. A force not just of law, but of honour.

And that, indeed, is a salute worth standing for—and a service worth believing in.

Dahiru M. Lawal is a media strategist, journalist, and disinformation specialist. He writes from Abuja via [email protected].

VISIT OUR OTHER WEBSITES
PRNigeria.com EconomicConfidential.com PRNigeria.com/Hausa/
EmergencyDigest.com PoliticsDigest.ng TechDigest.ng
HealthDigest.ng SpokesPersonsdigest.com TeensDigest.ng
ArewaAgenda.com Hausa.ArewaAgenda.com YAShuaib.com
  • TAGS
  • Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Zayd ibn Isah
  • IGP Kayode Egbetokun
  • Police Awards Ceremony
Previous articleNigeria to Host 5,000 Delegates for Civil Service Conference
Next articleNigeria Police Dismantles WhatsApp Fraud Syndicate Targeting Prominent Citizens, Recovers Millions
Dahiru M. Lawal
Dahiru M. Lawal

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Leon Usigbe

Death, you can’t be Proud of this By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem 

Police Officer

Enugu Police Raid IPOB/ESN Hideout, Nab 25 Militants, Recover Firearms

Troops Eliminate Notorious Bandit Kingpin ‘Dan Dari Biyar’ in Sokoto Operation

Dr. Ibrahim Bello, Emir of Gusau

Tinubu, NUJ, Police, and Military Mourn the Death of Gusau Emir

Comptroller General Nigerian Customs Bashir Adewale

Customs Moves Against 223 Importers in N379bn Permit Breach

Police Officer

Anambra Police Arrest Suspected Child Trafficker, Rescue 11 Abducted Children

Dr. Ibrahim Bello Emir of Gusau

His Death is a National Loss – Tinubu Mourns Emir of Gusau

Military Troops in Action

Troops Rescue 3 Kidnapped Victims in Benue–Taraba Border

Bashir Adewale Adeniyi Customs Boss

How Customs is Tightening Borders to Stop Illicit Cash Flows – CG Adeniyi 

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN)

LPPC Elevates Nasarawa SSG, Osun AG, S/Court Judge’s Son, Ayodeji, 53 others to SANs

Niger Police Rescue 37 Human Trafficking Victims, Arrest 10 Suspects

Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi

NSCDC Issues Licences to 28 Private Security Companies, Urges Enhanced Intelligence Sharing

Recent Posts

  • Death, you can’t be Proud of this By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem 
  • Tinubu Mourns Veteran State House Correspondent, Leon Usigbe
  • Police Arrest 22 Cultists in Ogun
  • Enugu Police Raid IPOB/ESN Hideout, Nab 25 Militants, Recover Firearms
  • Troops Eliminate Notorious Bandit Kingpin ‘Dan Dari Biyar’ in Sokoto Operation
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
© 2020 PRNigeria. All Rights Reserved.
Latest News
Death, you can’t be Proud of this By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem Tinubu Mourns Veteran State House Correspondent, Leon UsigbePolice Arrest 22 Cultists in OgunEnugu Police Raid IPOB/ESN Hideout, Nab 25 Militants, Recover FirearmsTroops Eliminate Notorious Bandit Kingpin ‘Dan Dari Biyar’ in Sokoto OperationTinubu, NUJ, Police, and Military Mourn the Death of Gusau EmirCustoms Moves Against 223 Importers in N379bn Permit BreachCOAS Endorses NDC’s Research on Advanced Military TechnologiesAnambra Police Arrest Suspected Child Trafficker, Rescue 11 Abducted ChildrenHis Death is a National Loss - Tinubu Mourns Emir of GusauNAF, NASENI Bolster Partnership for Indigenous Defence, Aerospace InnovationSix Suspects Arrested for Kidnapping, Rape, Robbery in NasarawaTroops Rescue 3 Kidnapped Victims in Benue–Taraba BorderNCCSALW, TRADOC Strengthen Ties to Combat Illicit Arms in North CentralAnambra, Adamawa Police Bust Child Trafficking Ring, Free 11 Minors
X whatsapp