By Felix Mordi
The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, has identified and honoured 39 outstanding officers of the command for their dedication, professionalism, sacrifice and meritorious service to the Nigeria Police Force and the general public.
The CP’s Commendations and Awards were bestowed on five retired and 34 serving officers of the command at an elaborate ceremony held at the Police Officers’ Mess in the Ibara Housing Estate, Abeokuta, on Monday, 28 September, 2026, an event that was graced by serving and retired officers, senior Police officers, families, friends, colleagues and well-wishers, to celebrate distinguished service and professional excellence.
In a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson (PPRO), DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, he listed the five honoured officers in the retirees’ category as: CSP Salami Akanbi Moruf, former Commander, SWAT; DSP Olaifa Emmanuel, former 2i/c, SWAT; DSP Ayanlola Olatunji, former O/C, SIT-REP; DST Saanu John; and DST Anifa Bello.
Among the 34 serving officers honoured were SP Shittu Bamidele, O/C Anti-kidnapping Unit; SP Gbenga Ayodele, O/C Anti-robbery Unit; DSP Sheriff Balogun, 2i/c, SWAT; ASP Adetutu Adesida, 2i/c, 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, alongside other deserving personnel.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ojajuni described policing as an arduous national responsibility requiring sacrifice, resilience, professionalism and unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property.
The CP noted that decades of dedicated service, particularly 35 years in the Police Force, represented a significant contribution to national service and deserved to be acknowledged. He explained that the commendation was intended not only to appreciate meritorious service but also to encourage serving personnel to remain committed to excellence.
According to him, the gesture followed the recognition of deserving personnel by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, among whom was DST Anifa Bello (Rtd.), a dedicated traffic officer, who served meritoriously in Ogun State.
He added that the Ogun Command considered it important to replicate the gesture locally and ensure that other deserving officers were equally honoured.
The CP stressed that honouring retired officers goes beyond celebrating their past service, saying, “it preserves institutional memory, strengthens the bond between serving and retired personnel and reinforces the message that dedication, professionalism and commitment to duty remain valued within the Nigeria Police Force.”
Geographic Reference
In his goodwill message, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Gbenga Adeoye, paid tribute to the former SWAT Commander, and his 2i/c, CSP Salami Akanbi Moruf and DSP Olaifa Emmanuel, respectively, as well as DSP Ayanlola Olatunji (Rtd.), commending their diligence, professionalism, dedication and meritorious service to the nation.
Similarly, the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) of Ibara and Aregbe, CSP Lateef Balogun and CSP Rasak Adeoye, respectively, highlighted the distinguished careers of DST Anifa Bello (Rtd.) and DST Saanu John (Rtd.), who enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on 1 September, 1991 and 1 August, 1991, respectively.
Speaking on behalf of the retired officers, CSP Salami expressed appreciation to CP Ojajuni and the command for honouring their years of dedicated service. He described CP Bode Ojajuni as a father, mentor and caregiver, and assured the command of the retired officers’ continued willingness to support the Force and the nation whenever their services are required.
On behalf of the serving awardees, SP Shittu Bamidele thanked the Commissioner for the honour 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, friends, colleagues and other guests for honouring the awardees and making the occasion memorable.
The ceremony reaffirmed CP Bode Ojajuni’s commitment to a leadership culture that recognises merit, values institutional experience and motivates personnel to give their best in service to the people.
Management
”The Ogun State Police Command remains committed to professional, responsive and people-oriented policing, while sustaining a workforce motivated by integrity, dedication, discipline and excellence,’ the PPRO stressed.
