Odita Sunday 
The Lagos State Police Command on Thursday recorded a historic milestone with the official launch of its first-ever Police Band, marking a significant step toward strengthening community engagement, ceremonial presence and institutional pride within the Nigeria Police Force.
The colourful commissioning ceremony, held at the POWA Multipurpose Hall, Oduduwa Street, GRA Ikeja, was performed by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, and attracted senior police officers, government officials, security chiefs and key stakeholders from the criminal justice sector.
Speaking at the event, the IGP congratulated the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, for initiating and successfully establishing the command’s own band, describing the development as long overdue for a command of Lagos’ strategic importance.
According to Egbetokun, the commissioning of the band should not be viewed as an isolated project but as part of a broader approach to professional policing, leadership development and community cohesion.
“Professional policing is not sustained by operational activity alone,” the IGP said. “It is reinforced by discipline, cohesion and pride in service. The presence of a command band contributes directly to these objectives.”
He noted that, for the first time since its establishment, the Lagos State Police Command now possesses a dedicated band designed to handle ceremonial, official and representational duties, ending years of reliance on the Force Headquarters for such functions.
“For a command of this scale and responsibility, the absence of an internal band was a structural omission,” he added, while pledging continued support to strengthen the Nigeria Police Band nationwide.
The IGP further praised the band for projecting the police positively through music, stating that its performances inspire officers, enhance public confidence and elevate the image of the Force beyond routine law enforcement duties.
In his welcome address, CP Jimoh described the establishment of the Lagos Police Band as a strategic necessity aimed at boosting officer morale, improving public trust and enhancing the professional image of the Police in Lagos State.
He explained that beyond ceremonial duties, the band serves as a non-violent crowd-management tool, capable of calming tense situations, guiding movement during parades and processions, and maintaining order without the use of force.
“A police band humanises the police, softens public perception and builds trust through music,” Jimoh said. “It helps bridge the gap between the police and the citizens during public, state and community engagements.”
Also speaking at the ceremony, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by former Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Abimbola Salihu Hundeyin, said the launch reflects a modern approach to security built on presence, partnership and inclusivity.
“Security is not built only with sirens and patrols,” he said. “It is also built through shared experiences and community engagement. Today’s launch symbolises a police force that listens as much as it commands.”
The governor commended the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force and the Lagos State Command for the vision behind the initiative, describing the band as a reflection of empathy, imagination and cultural connection with Lagosians, where music plays a central role in social life.
The event climaxed with impressive musical performances by the newly inaugurated Lagos Police Band, thrilling guests and setting the tone for what the Command described as a new era of enhanced ceremonial and community presence.
Dignitaries at the event included AIG Adegoke Fayoade, Retired AIG Yetunde Longe, Lagos State Attorney-General Lawal Pedro, Chief Judge of Lagos State Justice Kazeem Alogba, Force Public Relations Officer CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, Director of Music Nigeria Police Band DCP Favour Chinonyerem, Police Music Master Rotimi Aderibigbe, security chiefs from sister agencies, POWA officials, and popular music artiste Korede Bello, among others.
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