Two outstanding officers receive awards for their immense contribution to fighting crime in Lagos

The Officer in Charge of the Federal Special Anti – Robbery Squad of the Lagos State Police Command, CSP Mohammed Sanusi alongside the Admin Officer / Officer-in-Charge  of Tracking and ICT, DSP  Akinola Aduroja were recently recognized by the organizers of Crime Busters Gallant Medal Excellence Award in Lagos.

The Daily Times gathered that the officers who received awards from the organizers were said to have distinguished themselves in various tasks over time.

While speaking at the presentation of the award to the officers at  the command headquarters, the initiator of the award, Mr. Joshua Uloko noted that the  award which is a periodic affair was born out of the need to celebrate officers and men especially within the Police cycle that have contributed immensely to fighting crime and criminality.

He stressed the award was given strictly on merit and not based on any anticipated gratification on the part of the awardees.

Explaining further, he said, “there are only three officers that earned this award within this command. The first is the Commissioner of police, CP Imohimi Edagal whose track record is outstanding and an example is in the way and manner he handed the Baddo issue. Today those living in Ikorodu no longer harbour  any fear.

In the same vein, CSP Sanusi has contributed in no small measure to success story of FSAR Lagos Command. He is am officer who knows his onions and same goes to DSP Aduroja who many success stiris of the command can be traced to. This DSP through the support of the Commissioner of Police and his direct boss, CSP Sanusi has aided the tracking of many criminals from their hideouts and the recovery of several vehicles and other item.

” the truth is that the fact that Lagos has become calm and peaceful can be traced to these three men. So for us, it is an honour that is well deserved. ” he maintained.

CSP Sanusi who earned ‘The Most Proactive Officer of the Year’ said,
” I am so grateful for this honour, within my short time here, I never knew I was been watched. All that I came in with was the spirit and determinations to succeed and I gave  out all my best to ensure that I succeed hoping and praying that God will see us through.

“We thank God for what we have achieved so far. But I assure you, if you have given me this award based on credibility and performance, believe me I have not done anything compared to what I will do in the next two or three months. You will be surprised.”

On the changes in the FSARS Lagos Command, he said, ” I have men that are very loyal, ready to work but were not given the encouragement to work before now and I gave them the free hand to operate. Based on the free hand I have given my men to operate in this current leadership, we have little crisis, unlike before where we had too much crisis with SARS, too much negativity with SARS but now it is not like that, we made them understand that they have a responsibility not just to then police but also to their own families.

“Therefore they should watch what they are doing and they took to it and It is yeilding good results.That is the kind of policing we want, more visibility and less harassment.

“As humans, we know we will be critized from time to time because we are humans and we make mistakes, when we do, also call us to make amends.” He pleaded.

For DSP Aduroja who received the award as ‘The Most Anti- Crime Police Officer of the Year,  the story was not different as he expressed great delight for the honour. He said it was a dream come true as the award was proof that hardwork pays.

He said, “I have dedicated a lot to the Nigeria Police Force and the Force has in turn deposited a lot in me. I have risked my life many times while confronting kidnappers and armed robbers but no one had noticed my effort all this while. I had felt cheated sometimes but thank God for today.

“I will not forget to thank the new Commissioner of Police Lagos state command, CP Imohimi Edgal who brought a new initiative called ‘Community Policing’, he believes that the community has a lot of role to play in their own policing and in the course of that we are now learning how to relate better with the public.

” We are ready to do more as  we now have the passion to excel. Our joy as police officers remains that people can move peacefully in the state and sleep with their eyes closed and that we do not have high profile crimes anymore.

“We also  thank the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris and the Commissioner of Police both of whom have helped us a lot and thanks to the organisers too,” He said.