Ojajuni honours 39 retired, serving Ogun police officers

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 yesterday 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 service and professional excellence.
Among the five retired officers honoured were former Commander of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit, 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 honoured 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 ceremony, Ojajuni described policing as an arduous national responsibility requiring sacrifice, resilience, professionalism and an unwavering 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 CP explained that the awards were 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 Disu, at Force Headquarters, Abuja, including DST Anifa Bello, a dedicated traffic officer who served meritoriously in Ogun State.
He said the Ogun Command considered it necessary to replicate the gesture locally and ensure that other deserving officers were equally recognised.
Ojajuni stressed that honouring retired officers went beyond celebrating their past service, noting that it helped preserve institutional memory, strengthen the bond between serving and retired personnel and reinforce the message that dedication, professionalism and commitment to duty remain valued in 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, commending their 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 officers, CSP Salami Akanbi Moruf expressed appreciation to the Commissioner and the Command for honouring their years of dedicated service.
He described Ojajuni as a father, mentor and caregiver, assuring the Command of the retired officers’ continued willingness 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 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 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.
The Ogun State Police Command, the statement by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said, remains committed to professional, responsive and people-oriented policing, while sustaining a workforce motivated by integrity, dedication, discipline and excellence.