PROFILE: Awunah, new police spokesman, loves hunting. But what exactly is his ‘prey’?

Donald Awunah, a deputy commissioner, is officially the new spokesman of the Nigeria police.

Awunah, whose appointment was announced on Monday, replaces Olabisi Kolawole who was the image-maker of the police for 10 months.

The new force image-maker has stepped into the big shoes of notable police spokesmen, such as the amiable Frank Mba, and Emmanuel Ojukwu.

Nevertheless, Awunah may fit the bill, going by his professional experience and worthy credentials.

ALUMNUS OF DISTINGUISHED INSTITUTIONS

Awunah is an alumnus of distinguished academic institutions, such as the University of Ilorin, Ilorin (2014-2015); Institute of Security Studies, Abuja (2014); Benue State University, Makurdi (2009-2010, 1995-1996); Federal Polytechnic, Ida (1989-1990); University of Lagos (1981-1984); School of Basic Studies, Ugbokolo (1978-1980); Padopads Harmony Secondary School, Makurdi (1973-1978); Ladi-Lak Primary School, Yaba, Lagos (1969-1973) and St Mathias Primary School, Ogwashi-Uku, Delta (1968-1969).

He obtained a master’s degree in international relations and strategic studies from Benue State University in 2010, and a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from the University of Lagos in 1984.

PROFESSIONAL OFFICER

In spite of his academic attainments, Awunah did a number of professional police courses within and outside the country. Some of these courses are: National Security Training in Israel (2015), UNODC Seminar for Criminal Justice Practitioners on the implementation of UN Convention against Trans-national Organised Crime in Abuja (2002), Community Policing Training, Huston, USA (2007), Police Leadership and Management – Community Policing, Scottish Police College, Scotland (2003), study tour of England and Scotland police formations – Community Policing (2003), Crime Prevention: Trans-national Organised Crime – Unafei, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan (2000) and Advanced Detective Course (1991).

FORMER UN POLICE SPOKESMAN

Awunah was a member of the Nigeria police contingent to the UN Peace Keeping Mission in East-Timor (UNMIT) between (2008 – 2009)- where he served as the UN police spokesman. He has also served in various capacities in the force.

He was 2i/c special fraud unit, FCID Abuja (2001); assistant commissioner of police, management service (2009-2010); area commander, Owerri area command; Imo state (2010-2011), assistant commissioner of police, CID ‘D’ department, Akwa-Ibom state (2011-2013); deputy commissioner of police, criminal investigation and intelligence department, Edo state (2014) and deputy commissioner of police in charge homicide, FCIID (2014).

The new police spokesman is a fellow, Institute of Security Studies; fellow, Institute of Corporate Administration and member, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).

SPOKESMAN WHO’S ALSO A HUNTER

He loves sports, reading, man ’O’ war activities and — wait for it — hunting. Not the kind of hunting you’re possibly thinking of. It’s not the type the army says Boko Haram is now turning to as a means of disguise; not the kind that three federal lawmakers were accused of embarking on in the US.

Want to wager a guess? It’s the type of hunting an information officer should ordinarily be keen on. Awunah’s Cv says he enjoys “news-hunting”, which is some great news. Journalists no longer need to have personal access to the police spokesman to reach him; all they need is put their concerns on the pages of a newspaper!