…says recognition will motivate personnel, preserve institutional memory
The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, has honoured 39 police officers, comprising five retired and 34 serving personnel, with the Commissioner of Police’s Commendations and Awards for dedication, professionalism, sacrifice and meritorious service to the Nigeria Police Force and the public.
The award ceremony, held on Monday at the Police Officers’ Mess, Ibara Housing Estate, Abeokuta, brought together serving and retired officers, senior police officers, families, friends, colleagues and well-wishers to celebrate distinguished careers and professional excellence.
Among the retired officers honoured were former Commander of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), CSP Salami Akanbi Moruf; former 2IC, SWAT, DSP Olaifa Emmanuel; former Officer-in-Charge, SIT-REP, DSP Ayanlola Olatunji; DST Saanu John; and DST Anifa Bello.
The 34 serving officers recognised included SP Shittu Bamidele, Officer-in-Charge, Anti-Kidnapping Unit; SP Gbenga Ayodele, O/C Anti-Robbery Unit; DSP Sheriff Balogun, 2IC, SWAT; ASP Adetutu Adesida, 2IC, Anti-Kidnapping Unit; ASP Ojikutu Akinola, Admin Officer, Anti-Kidnapping Unit; ASP Olupona Helen; ASP Jimoh Lasisi; Insp. Balogun Samuel; Insp. Adelaja Oluwatosin; Insp. Ojogo Ogundeji; Sgt. Muhammed Rukayat; Cpl. Adenuga Rasaki; and Cpl. Adeyanju Elijah, among others.
Speaking at the event, CP Ojajuni described policing as an arduous national responsibility that requires sacrifice, resilience, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property.
He noted that decades of dedicated service, particularly 35 years in the Police Force, represented a significant contribution to national service, stressing that such commitment deserved recognition.
According to him, the commendations were not only to appreciate the awardees for their meritorious service but also to motivate serving personnel to remain committed to professionalism and excellence.
The Commissioner disclosed that the gesture followed the recognition of deserving personnel by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, among them DST Anifa Bello, who served meritoriously as a traffic officer in Ogun State.
He said the Ogun Command considered it necessary to replicate the gesture locally by recognising other officers whose contributions had impacted positively on the Force and public safety.
CP Ojajuni also stressed the importance of recognising retired officers, saying their honour was not merely about celebrating past service but also about preserving institutional memory and strengthening the bond between serving and retired personnel.
He said the gesture would reinforce the message that dedication, professionalism and commitment to duty remained valued within the Nigeria Police Force.
In his goodwill message, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Gbenga Adeoye, paid tribute to CSP Salami Akanbi Moruf, DSP Olaifa Emmanuel and DSP Ayanlola Olatunji, describing their careers as marked by diligence, professionalism, dedication and meritorious service to the nation.
Similarly, the Divisional Police Officers of Ibara and Aregbe, CSP Lateef Balogun and CSP Rasak Adeoye, respectively, highlighted the distinguished careers of DST Anifa Bello and DST Saanu John, who enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force on September 1, 1991, and August 1, 1991, respectively.
Speaking on behalf of the retired awardees, CSP Salami Akanbi Moruf expressed appreciation to CP Ojajuni and the Ogun State Command for recognising their years of dedicated service.
Moruf described the Commissioner as a father, mentor and caregiver, assuring the Command that retired officers remained willing to support the Police Force and the nation whenever their services were required.
Also speaking on behalf of the serving awardees, SP Shittu Bamidele thanked the Commissioner for the recognition and pledged the continued commitment of the awardees to professional, responsive and people-oriented policing.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department, DCP Oliver Ezirim, delivered the vote of thanks, appreciating the Commissioner, dignitaries, serving and retired officers, families, friends and other guests for identifying with the awardees.
The ceremony, according to the Command, reaffirmed CP Ojajuni’s commitment to a leadership culture that recognises merit, values institutional experience and motivates personnel to give their best in the service of the people.
The Ogun State Police Command further reiterated its commitment to professional, responsive and people-oriented policing, while promoting integrity, dedication, discipline and excellence among its personnel.
