Nigeria Police Officer wins International Award for Crime Fighting in West and Central Africa

Banjul, The Gambia – A Nigeria police officer, SP (Dr) Usman Ahmed Abdul Dimka, alongside other African security personnel, has won a prestigious international Award for his “exceptional achievements in crime fighting”.

The award was delivered to him during the 17th Africa Security Watch Awards, Conference & Exhibition by Security Watch Africa (SWA), at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, Banjul, The Gambia on the 9th – 11th of November, 2022.

SP Dimka was awarded the Gold Star Award for Crime Fighting in West and Central Africa 2022 for “special operations conducted in areas of terrorism, border action, arms control, prevention of narcotics smuggling and rescue operations.”

It said Dimka has contributed to the improvement of security in Nigeria and has effectively helped the police of Delta State Command to move towards achieving their goals of fully adopting democratic principles of policing.

With the objective to recognise officers’ operations, which have high degree of planning, high significance for the security of countries/States/, SP Dimka have significantly impacted on the security of larger sections of Africa, in extraordinary circumstances, he has led Special operations that have received global recommendations.

SP Dimka is the Commander, Eagle Net Special Squad, Delta State Police Command, and Fellow of the Certified Chartered Forensic Institute. he has personally been instrumental in neutralising, and arresting hundreds of criminals in Nigeria. He also worked towards the betterment of people through community policing.

The security personnel for the award were selected across Africa for their commendable techniques in various modules operations.

Nigeria is the largest contributor to Africa peacekeeping operations, having so far contributed more than 50,000 officers across peacekeeping missions in African continent.

According to the Chairman Board of Trustees of SWAI, Gen. Joseph Nunoo-Mensah (Rtd.), the objectives of the award is to promote an understanding of police in peace operations throughout the African continent.

“To showcase the best in security in Africa,” he said.

Prominent personalities at the Award were Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic and former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai (Rtd.); Dean Faculty of Military Science, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, Prof. Samuel Tshehla, Chief of Defence Staff, Ghana; Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo; Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya; Nigeria’s Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao.

Other arrays of dignitaries include the Director General, Gambian Immigration Service, Mr. Seedy Touray, and Head of Department, Department of Safety and Security Management, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa, Prof. Jabob Mofokeng.

Speaking after the awards SP Dimka said, “It is a big moment not that I have been awarded, but because of the fact that the good works of the Nigeria Inspector General of Police, IGP Alkali Baba Usman CFR been recognised in Africa and world over, which will continue motivating us to serve the people in the best possible manner and without any biases and prejudices. Policing is all about giving a fear-free atmosphere to all and standing firmly by people in the hour of crisis.”