The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Bode Ojajuni, has honoured 39 police officers, comprising five retired and 34 serving personnel, for their dedication, professionalism and meritorious service to the Nigeria Police Force and the public.
The award ceremony was held on Monday at the Police Officers’ Mess, Ibara Housing Estate, Abeokuta, with senior police officers, retired personnel, families, friends, colleagues and well-wishers in attendance.
The five retired officers honoured were CSP Salami Akanbi Moruf, former Commander of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT); DSP Olaifa Emmanuel, former 2IC, SWAT; DSP Ayanlola Olatunji, former Officer-in-Charge, SIT-REP; DST Saanu John; and DST Anifa Bello.
Among the serving officers recognised were SP Shittu Bamidele, Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit; SP Gbenga Ayodele, Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Robbery Unit; DSP Sheriff Balogun, 2IC, SWAT; ASP Adetutu Adesida, 2IC, Anti-Kidnapping Unit; ASP Ojikutu Akinola, Admin Officer, Anti-Kidnapping Unit; and other deserving personnel.
Speaking at the event, Ojajuni described policing as an arduous national responsibility that requires sacrifice, resilience, professionalism and commitment to protecting lives and property.
He said decades of dedicated service, particularly 35 years in the Police Force, represented a significant contribution to national service and deserved recognition.
The commissioner explained that the awards were aimed at appreciating meritorious service while encouraging serving officers to remain committed to excellence.
Ojajuni said the gesture followed the recognition of deserving personnel by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
He specifically mentioned DST Anifa Bello, a retired traffic officer who served meritoriously in Ogun State, as one of those recognised at the Force Headquarters.
The commissioner said the Ogun Command decided to replicate the gesture locally to recognise other deserving officers.
He added that honouring retired officers would help preserve institutional memory, strengthen the relationship between serving and retired personnel and reinforce the value placed on dedication and professionalism within the Force.
In his goodwill message, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Gbenga Adeoye, commended the retired officers, particularly CSP Salami Akanbi Moruf, DSP Olaifa Emmanuel and DSP Ayanlola Olatunji, for their diligence, professionalism and meritorious service.
Similarly, the Divisional Police Officers of Ibara and Aregbe, CSP Lateef Balogun and CSP Rasak Adeoye, respectively, highlighted the careers of DST Anifa Bello and DST Saanu John, who joined the Nigeria Police Force on September 1, 1991, and August 1, 1991, respectively.
Speaking on behalf of the retired awardees, Moruf expressed appreciation to the commissioner and the command for recognising their years of service.
He described Ojajuni as a father, mentor and caregiver, while assuring the command that retired officers remained willing to support the Force and the nation whenever their services were required.
On behalf of the serving awardees, SP Shittu Bamidele thanked the commissioner for the recognition and pledged their continued commitment to professional, responsive and people-oriented policing.
The vote of thanks was delivered by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department, DCP Oliver Ezirim.
Ezirim appreciated the commissioner, dignitaries, serving and retired officers, families, friends and other guests for attending the ceremony.
The command said the event reaffirmed Ojajuni’s commitment to recognising merit, valuing institutional experience and motivating personnel to give their best in service to the public.
