Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu has assured retired police officers of the continued support and welfare of the Nigeria Police Force, urging them to remain good ambassadors of the Force.
Disu gave the assurance at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Lagos, where 24 mid-level officers who retired after 35 years of service were honoured for their meritorious contributions to the Force.
The IGP, who was in Lagos for other official engagements, made an unscheduled visit to the SCID to congratulate the retirees, receiving cheers and applause from officers and guests.
“I know you were not expecting me. I just stopped by to congratulate the 24 retired officers for serving this country well. I want you to know that you are still police officers and will always be.
“Let me assure you that we will continue to take care of your welfare, you are not alone. I wish you the best in retirment and thank you once again for your service.”
The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of SCID, Dayo Akinbisehin, described the retirement ceremony as “another monumental milestone” in the history of the Lagos State Police Command.
Akinbisehin said the retirees had accumulated “hundreds of thousands of hours of an unblemished career” protecting Lagos residents, often under dangerous and challenging circumstances.
He noted that SCID Panti, the state’s highest investigation department, handles high-profile and sensitive criminal cases, with officers frequently risking their lives in the pursuit of justice.
“You are looking at thousands of shifts worked in the dead of night, in blinding rain, and on holidays when everyone else was at home with their families. You are looking at a living, breathing wall of protection that has kept our communities safe for decades,” he said.
The DCP also commended the families of the retirees, describing their spouses and children as “the unsung heroes of the Force” for enduring years of sacrifice while their loved ones served.
He urged the retired officers to maintain their ties with the police, assuring them that SCID would always remain their home.
For DSP Ishola Adeyinka, a Fuji musician, retirement offers an opportunity to fully return to his music career.
He advised serving officers to develop a “Plan B” ahead of retirement, cautioning that relying solely on pension income might not guarantee a comfortable life after service.
Another retiree, DSP Rita Momah, described her 35-year career in the Force as smooth, recalling that she rose through the ranks without financial inducement.
She urged female police officers to remain focused, committed and dedicated to their duties.
The IGP was accompanied by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Logistics and Supply, Kenechukwu Onwuemelie; Assistant Inspector-General of Police Olohundare Jimoh; Lagos State Commissioner of Police Fatal Tijani; and other senior officers.
