It was double honours for Commander, Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS), aka Tiger Base, Imo State Police Command, Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, recently. He was in Abuja a while back to receive the Crime Buster of the Year 2025 award at second edition of the Nigeria Police Awards commendation ceremony, Resource Centre. He was also promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).
His citation stated that Odeyeyiwa recorded great success in his fight against crime in the state. Within four years, Odeyeyiwa, with his operatives, smashed armed robbers, kidnappers and cultists in their various hideouts. IPOB/ESN members were also arrested in different local governments, recovering dangerous weapons.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Olukayode Egbetokun, said: “The commendation ceremony serves not only as a platform for honouring outstanding officers, but also as a renewed national conversation on the role of policing to a democratic society.”
All award recipients were praised as an embodiment of courage, integrity and service. Odeyeyiwa, alongside 27 other officers, received encomiums and plaques from the IGP, who instituted the award as a way of recognising exceptional performance and dedication to duty in serving police officers.
Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidama, applauded the ongoing reforms within the force and pledged continued government support for the security institution.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State paid tributes to the police, recounting the dark period when Imo State was nearly overrun by criminal gangs: “The police and other security agencies worked tirelessly. Many paid with their lives to save our state.
“We have six retired Inspector Generals of Police, Sunday Ehindero, Ogbonna Onovo, Suleiman Abba, Solomon Arase, MD Abubakar and Ibrahim Idris, who commended the IGP and awardees for their relentless efforts in policing, which has led to improved security of the nation.”
Odeyeyiwa appreciated the IGP and his management team for honouring him as crime buster: “I am ready to fight criminals out of the Imo State.”
He lauded the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aboki, who he said “has done excellent job, making it possible to crack down on criminals with the support of Governor Uzodimma.
“The governor gave moral support and operational vehicles which enabled us to flush out criminals. CP Aboki made huge success to run the criminals aground. He provided conducive environment for us to checkmate the criminals. Imo State is now calm and peaceful.
“The command has dismantled their hideouts and arrested 2,785 suspects within months. We have charged some of the suspects to court while others are still under investigations.
“AKS recovered 20 pump action guns, 14 AK47 rifles, two-purpose machine gun and four fabricated rocket launchers. The command recovered seven gas cylinder explosives locally made hand grenades, assorted rounds of live ammunition cartridges and criminal charms.
“We rescued 58 kidnapped victims and 42 stolen children. Also, we arrested two suspected kidnappers. They were involved in abducting a man from his home in Akabo, Ikeduru LG.
“We enhance professionalism and ensure that our personnel discharge their duties responsibly and respect for human rights. The command has updated the professional capacity of officers in line with global policing standards and addressing skill gaps caused by out-dated or neglected procedures.”