President Bola Tinubu has charged the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to protect Nigerians and not intimidate them.
The president stated this at the 2nd Nigeria Police Awards and Commendations in Abuja on Wednesday night.
Speaking at the event, Tinubu, who was represented by the president of the Senate, Senator Goodwill Akpabio, said: “the power you will is not for intimidation. Protect every Nigerians and ensure the safety of the country.”
Also speaking at the event, the governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, said: “We are very appreciative of the work the Police is doing today. Under the reigns of the IGP, the Police has risen to the challenges of insecurity.
“We in Imo State are appreciative of the work of Police in the state. At some point, we were in the worst insecurity situation and Police with other security agencies rose up to the situation and today, we are safe in Imo State.”
In his welcome address, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, said the ceremony was a significant shift towards merit-based recognition within the Force.
According to him, “The Awards and Commendation Ceremony stands as a bold symbol of our institutional shift: from entitlement to merit, from routine to excellence.
“This year’s award process was deliberate, rigorous, and transparent, aimed at institutionalising merit within the Nigeria Police Force.”
He noted that award recipients were selected based on their outstanding performance and dedication.
“The officers honoured this evening did not apply for recognition. They earned it — through uncommon courage, ethical conduct, exceptional leadership, and unwavering dedication,” the IGP stated.
Amongst the outstanding police officers, who won awards at the event, were the Force PRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who was given special achievement award and the Police Public Relations Officer of the FCT Command, SP Josephine Adeh, who won the public relations officer of the year award, among others.
