Odita Sunday 
Ogun CP Rewards 39 Officers, Revives Culture of Merit in Police Command
By Odita Sunday
The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, has honoured 39 police officers, comprising five retired and 34 serving personnel, for dedication, professionalism, sacrifice and meritorious service to the Nigeria Police Force and the public.
The awards were presented on Monday, September 28, 2026, at the Police Officers’ Mess, Ibara Housing Estate, Abeokuta, during a ceremony attended by serving and retired officers, senior police officers, families, friends, colleagues and well-wishers.
According to the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi B. Babasiyi, the five retired officers honoured were CSP Salami Akanbi Moruf (Rtd.), former Commander, SWAT; DSP Olaifa Emmanuel (Rtd.), former 2IC, SWAT; DSP Ayanlola Olatunji (Rtd.), former O/C, SIT-REP; DST Saanu John (Rtd.); and DST Anifa Bello (Rtd.).
Among the 34 serving officers honoured were 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 other deserving personnel.
Speaking at the ceremony, CP 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 Commissioner explained that the commendations were intended not only to appreciate meritorious service but also to encourage serving personnel to remain committed to excellence.
According to Babasiyi, Ojajuni said the initiative followed the recognition of deserving personnel by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, at Force Headquarters, Abuja.
He cited DST Anifa Bello (Rtd.), a traffic officer who served meritoriously in Ogun State, as one of those recognised by the IGP, adding that the Ogun Command considered it appropriate to replicate the gesture locally and extend recognition to other deserving officers.
Ojajuni stressed that honouring retired officers went beyond celebrating their past service, saying it helped preserve institutional memory, strengthen the bond between serving and retired personnel and reinforce the message that dedication, professionalism and commitment to duty remained 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 (Rtd.), DSP Olaifa Emmanuel (Rtd.) and DSP Ayanlola Olatunji (Rtd.), 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 (Rtd.) and DST Saanu John (Rtd.).
Babasiyi said the two retired officers enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force on September 1, 1991 and August 1, 1991 respectively.
Speaking on behalf of the retired awardees, CSP Salami Akanbi Moruf (Rtd.) expressed appreciation to the Commissioner and the Command for recognising their years of service.
Moruf described Ojajuni as a father, mentor and caregiver, assuring the Command that the 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 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.
Babasiyi said the ceremony reaffirmed Ojajuni’s commitment to a leadership culture that recognises merit, values institutional experience and motivates police personnel to give their best in service to the public.
He added that the Ogun State Police Command remained committed to professional, responsive and people-oriented policing while sustaining a workforce motivated by integrity, dedication, discipline and excellence.
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