Written by Collins Osuji
Just last Monday, being 14th April, 2024 at Sharaton Hotels, Abuja, the Nigerian Police Force, NPF awarded CSP Odeyeyiwa Oladimeji, Head, Anti-Kidnapping Unit of Imo State Police Command as the Crime Buster of the year.
We learnt that the honour was in recognition of his crime fighting dexterity, laudable achievements cum immense contributions in effective policing of Imo State and the nation in general.
Recall that the NPF Award to the Imo Anti-Kidnapping boss popularly known as Ola, came few months after the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, South East Zone had also honoured him with Selfless Service Award.
The NUJ recognition was equally based on the obvious and commendable crime busting achievements recorded by Mr. Ola and his team in the state in the recent past years.
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No doubt, Ola, nay, the Imo Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the state Police Command contributed remarkably in stemming the tide of insecurity which had bedeviled the state for over two or three years ago.
For every sincere Imo citizen, the successes recorded today or attempts in stamping out all forms of violent crimes and criminally in the state, the said Ola and his team significantly made huge sacrifices and counted some losses too.
To many uninformed citizens, there is nothing like Imo State Police Command without the Anti-Kidnapping Unit because their activities seemingly overwhelmed the other units of the command.
Equally, there are some members of Imo society who have not seen and have refused to see anything good about Ola and his team possibly based on personal reasons and conviction or out of their selfish, ignorant or envious disposition.
This set of people have explore every given opportunity and channels to criticise and condemned whatever the operatives of the unit does. They only see and find faults in whatever that concerns the unit. They have in most cases, insisted on either the removal of Ola or the disbandment of the unit.
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This writer is however not ignorant of some concerned individuals who have genuinely raised alarm over some noticeable misdemeanours, unprofessional conducts and human rights violation being perpetrated by some operatives of the unit.
Yes, in every strata of the society, there is always a few bad eggs in it and the Imo Anti-Kidnapping Unit and in fact, the entire Nigerian Police Force are not an exception.
In the force, no doubt, we have good, committed and professional officers as well as those, despite the continous efforts to get the best out of them, have refused to turn a new leaf and give up on corrupt practices and unethical conducts.
So back to Ola and his newest Award, some naysayers will ask, "if Ola won NPF Crime Buster of the year award, and so what?" To this set of people, the award makes no difference and meaning to them.
While in an honest and actual sense, the award means more than everything. There is grater joy when one's efforts, sacrifices and countless risks are being recognised and commended through and by a genuine, transparent and unbiased process and appraisals.
The award no doubt aside spurring Ola and his team to more successes cum achievements, will go a long way in motivating other officers to effective service delivery and professionalism, as they will be confident that their imputs will never go unrewarded.
First, I want to commend the NPF under the able leadership of IGP Olukayode Egbetokun for the insight in resuscitating the awards and commendation system for the Nigeria Police Force, which is designed to to enhance motivation and encouragement of Police Officers.
According to Egbetokun through the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement about the award programme, "the new Awards and Commendation system will provide a fair platform for officers to be recognized and rewarded for their exceptional dedication and performance without relying solely on special promotions.
"The new Awards and Commendation system will foster a culture of appreciation, teamwork, and professional growth."
"The IGP envisions a renewed sense of pride and dedication among police officers as they know their hard work and dedication will be acknowledged and celebrated appropriately.
“And by acknowledging the contributions of all officers involved in major cases, we aim to create a more cohesive and motivated Police Force, committed to upholding the principles and tenets of the Police Act 2020, the Force Orders and Instructions, and serving the Nigerian people with excellence and renewed vigour." IGP added.
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I also want to applaud the Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma for his distinguished operational and service delivery style which has enhanced professionalism and diligence to duty among the officers and men of the command since his arrival in the state.
A closer look at the crop of officers in the state under the watch of this new CP Danjuma, one will notice a renewed rigor, dedicated, patriotic and diligent men and women poised to offer their best services for a safer Imo.
One will see a crop of re-oriented officers willing and ready to rekindle confidence of the people on the police through their professional disposition, diligence to duty and enhanced relationship with members of the public.
No doubt, without sounding petty, I bet to say that Imo has gotten the best Police Commissioner in Aboki Danjuma. He has been an outstanding officer, a silent achiever and a role model to all officers and men under him. However, I will leave this discussion for another day.
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So back to Ola's award, for me the award is a big kudos to Imo State. It will help to scare criminal elements away from the state knowing that we have the best in the state who will not spare any time in busting their criminality.
Honestly, to be selected from hundreds of thousand Police officers in the country for such excellent recognition tells more than enough, that Mr. Ola is a rare asset who should be valued, celebrated and supported at all times.
I want to also advised that those who have personal beef with Mr. Ola to keep that aside and for overall interest of the state, encourage and constructively criticise him when necessary instead of going overboard with their criticisms.
I also want to appeal to the CP to look inward to identify factors bringing bad names to the unit and address them with the aim to enhance the operative unit for effective service delivery. For one, Imo people expect and deserve the best services from every unit of the command under him.
Meanwhile, let me puse here to once again extend my heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Ola. In his usual nature, I know he would dedicate the award to his family, the CP, his unit team and the entire officers and men of the Imo command.
From the little I know of him, he does not take glory to himself even when it was obvious that some breakthroughs recorded by the command are product of his professional ingenuity and commitment. Maybe it was this his sterling quality that earned him the recent honour.
And as one of my professional mentor and oga's, Deacon Sam Onwuemeodo will say, let's keep clapping for Jesus for using Mr. Ola to make Imo proud in the just concluded NPF Award and Commendation event.
To God be the glory.
Collins Osuji is an Imo State based Media Practitioners, Consultant and Social Affairs Analyst
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