September 23, (THEWILL) — In pomp and pageantry, the entire residents of Okulogba street in Akenpai Community, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, in a mammoth crowd came out to honour and celebrate one of their own who had displayed the heroic display of integrity by their neighbour, a policeman, Sentome Obi, who rejected a $17,000 bribe offered by a suspect involved in organ harvesting.
Since the rare display of an uncommon feat of integrity by the gallant officer, Samtome Obi, there have been one celebration after the other. First he was honoured at the Federal level, the state government, Bayelsa state where he hails from was not left out, and of course the Akenpai Community, where he grew up also took their turn and the Okulogba street deemed it fit and necessary to jubilate and celebrate him, for being a role model and source of inspiration and emulation to other public servants in the country.
Hence, celebration rent the air on Sunday when tenants, landlords and well-wishers rolled out their drums on Sunday, 20th September, 2025, to make him an idol of mentorship to the younger generation in the community and the entire state in general.
While honouring the legendary policeman, the residents of Okulogba presented a walking stick, a hat and a cash donation to Sonteme, who the governor of the state, Senator Douye Diri, described as an indigene of the state who has brought dignity and pride to the force and Bayelsa.
Presenting the walking stick, hat and cash donation, the Arc Bishop Steven Overy said that the walking stick represents the famous staff of Moses in the bible, praying that the staff will help him along the way as he pursues his mission in life, the hat will cover him from danger, while the cash donation will serve as fuel for his journey through life.
Speaking shortly after the celebration, the chairman of Okulogba street, Mr Andrew Akpere, said that “he has made us proud, not just as a street but as a Community and State. We are celebrating him because he has used his policing job to provide security to us several times.
“If you call him at night or day over any security threat, he would respond without hesitation. We are happy that we have a man on our street who can serve as a role model to our children, brothers and elders.”
Also speaking, the woman chief of Akenpai, Joan Wilson, said that “I give gratitude to the street for honouring our brother. We are grateful to God that our son was able to resist the temptation to take a bribe, thereby preventing the destruction of another person’s life.
“In our community, a walking stick symbolises balance in life, while the hat represents a shield over his head. I wish to commend the government for rewarding his sacrifice because that will encourage other public servants to emulate him.”
Another resident, Mr Promise Sorgwe, said, “It is not easy for a man to reject such an amount to save the life of another human. Policemen have been shamed over the years. It is good that the government celebrated him, so that it will encourage other police officers to emulate him.”
In his vote of thanks, the officer, who got promoted by the police and rewarded with a brand new car and a three-bedroom apartment by the Bayelsa state government, expressed his gratitude to the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, the Bayelsa state governor, Senator Douye Diri, and recently, his Akenpai Community and Okulogba street for the honour given him.
THEWILL recalls CSP Obi, who heads the Financial and Cybercrime Unit at the Zone 16 Command, Yenagoa, earning national acclaim as a result of his rejection of a $17,000 bribe from a crime suspect. As a reward for his honesty and dedication to duty, Governor Diri, at a reception on July 23, announced a three-bedroom apartment and a car reward to the gallant policeman.
CSP Obi was also honoured by the Force with the Inspector General of police Integrity and police officer of the Year Award for 2024. And for his special promotion, Obi had been promoted from the rank of Superintendent of police to Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP).
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
