The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, has honoured 39 police officers, including five retirees and 34 serving personnel, for dedication, professionalism and meritorious service to the Nigeria Police Force and the public.
The officers received the Commissioner of Police’s Commendations and Awards at a ceremony held on Monday at the Police Officers’ Mess, Ibara Housing Estate, Abeokuta.
The event brought together serving and retired police officers, senior officers, families, friends, colleagues and well wishers to celebrate the awardees and their contributions to policing in Ogun State.
Among the five retired officers honoured were CSP Salami Akanbi Moruf, former Commander, SWAT; DSP Olaifa Emmanuel, former Second in Command, SWAT; DSP Ayanlola Olatunji, former Officer in Charge, SIT REP; DST Saanu John and DST Anifa Bello.
The 34 serving awardees included SP Shittu Bamidele, Officer in Charge, Anti Kidnapping Unit; SP Gbenga Ayodele, Officer in Charge, Anti Robbery Unit; DSP Sheriff Balogun, Second in Command, SWAT; ASP Adetutu Adesida, Second in Command, Anti Kidnapping Unit, and ASP Ojikutu Akinola, Admin Officer, Anti Kidnapping Unit.
Other serving officers honoured included 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 ceremony, Ojajuni described policing as a demanding national responsibility that requires sacrifice, resilience, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property.
He said years of dedicated service, particularly the 35 years spent by some officers in the Police Force, represented significant contributions to national development that deserved recognition.
According to him, the commendations were designed not only to appreciate officers who had distinguished themselves but also to motivate serving personnel to remain committed to professionalism and excellence.
The Commissioner said the initiative followed the recognition of deserving personnel by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
He specifically mentioned DST Anifa Bello, a retired traffic officer who served meritoriously in Ogun State, as one of those recognised at the national level, adding that the Ogun Command considered it appropriate to extend the recognition to other deserving officers.
Ojajuni said honouring retired officers was also important for preserving institutional memory, strengthening relationships between serving and retired personnel and reinforcing the value attached to dedication and professional service.
In his goodwill message, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Gbenga Adeoye, commended retired officers Salami Akanbi Moruf, Olaifa Emmanuel and Ayanlola Olatunji for their diligence, professionalism and dedication to national service.
The Divisional Police Officers of Ibara and Aregbe, CSP Lateef Balogun and CSP Rasak Adeoye, respectively, also highlighted the distinguished careers of DST Anifa Bello and DST Saanu John, who joined the Nigeria Police Force on September 1, 1991, and August 1, 1991, respectively.
Responding on behalf of the retired officers, Moruf expressed appreciation to the Commissioner and the Ogun Command for recognising their years of service, describing Ojajuni as a father, mentor and caregiver. He pledged the continued support of the retired officers to 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 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, colleagues and guests for honouring the awardees.
The ceremony underscored the Ogun State Police Command’s emphasis on recognising merit, preserving institutional experience and motivating personnel to uphold integrity, discipline, dedication and excellence in service to the public.