Assistant Inspector General Of Police And Former Police Spokesperson Don Awunah Is Dead

A former Force Public Relations Officer now Assistant Inspector General of Police, Don Awunah, is dead.

Until his death today, Awunah was the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 16, with headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

He was said to have been sick and undergoing treatment in a hospital in Abuja.

He died at 1am today, according to his Personal Assistant.

Spokesman of the police, CSP Muyiwa Adejobi  in a statement noted that IGP Usman Alkali Baba is mourning the officer.

Adejobi said, “the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, on behalf of the Force Management team, and Officers of the Nigeria Police Force, regrets to announce the demise of an eminent communicator, ardent officer, and Member of the National Institute, AIG Donald Ngorngor Awunah, which occurred in the early hours of today, Monday, May 23, 2022, at Garki Hospital Abuja, after a brief illness.

“AIG Awunah, who hailed from Benue State, was a one-time spokesperson for the Force, and was until his death the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 16 Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. He enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on March 15, 1988, and was a dedicated officer with great passion for training and development and was at a time the Commandant, Police Staff College, Jos.

“The Inspector-General of Police, acknowledges his resourcefulness and commitment to duty. He hereby condoles with the immediate family, relatives, fellow course mates, and friends of the deceased AIG who passed away in active service of his fatherland and prays for the repose of his soul.”

He was once the Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa State between January 29 and August 2018, taking over from AIG Austin Agbonlahor, who has retired from service.

Before being posted to Bayelsa State, Awunah had served as the Commandant, Police Staff College, Jos in Plateau State.

HIS PROFILE

Donald N. Awunah, was an alumnus of many 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 State (1968-1969).

He obtained the following academic qualifications: M.A in International Relations and Strategic Studies in 2010, B. A (Hons) in Philosophy in 1984, ADPM in 1996, and Certificate in Mass Communication in 1990.

Besides his core academic training and attainments, Awunah attended numerous Professional Police Courses within and outside the country, namely: National Security Training in Israel (2015); UNODC Seminar for Criminal Justice Practitioners on the implementation of the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized 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).

He also had the following working experience: A member of the Nigeria Police Contingent to the UN Peace Keeping Mission in East-Timor (UNMIT) between 2008 and 2009, where he served as the UN Police Spokesperson.

He 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).

He also acquired proven skills in Police Public Relations and extensive knowledge in detective and investigative work.

A member of various professional bodies, among which was the Fellow, Institute of Security Studies; Fellow, Institute of Corporate Administration; and Member, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.

Awunah, a lover of sports, Reading, News Hunting and Man’O’ War Activities, was married with children.