Okulogba Agog as residents honour gallant Policeman for rejecting $17,000 bribe in Bayelsa

By: Odieh Ramon, Yenagoa.

In pomp and peagantry the entire residents of Okulogba street in Akenpai Community, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, in a mammoth crowd came out to honor and celebrate one of their own who had displayed the heroic epitome 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 uncommon feat of integrity by the galant officer, Somtome Obi, there have been one celebrations 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 also 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 rented the air on Sunday when tenants, landlords and well wishers dressed in their native attires 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 cash donation to Sonteme Obi 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 to security to us several times.

“If you call him in night or day over any security threat, he would respond without hesitation. We are happy that we have man on our street that 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 who was able to reject the temptation to take bribe in order not to destroy another person’s life.

“In our community, walking stick symolises 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 that “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 celebrant who got promoted by the police and rewarded with a brand new car and a three bedroom 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 and prayed that as they celebrated with him, celebration will not cease in their lifetime.

Recall, CSP Obi who heads the Financial and Cybercrime Unit at the zone 16 Command, Yenagoa earned a National acclaim as 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 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)