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Goodwill has continued to trail the retirement of 24 police detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, Lagos, with a businessman, Abayomi Awoboku, rewarding the retirees with millions of naira worth of shares in Dangote Refinery and Petroleum.
Awoboku, Chief Executive Officer of Konstrutum Construction, who was among the dignitaries at the retirement reception, also engaged a professional investment firm to manage the shares and ensure maximum returns for the beneficiaries.
The gesture, described as a remarkable show of appreciation for the officers’ decades of service, followed the historic visit of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, to the department and his participation in the retirement ceremony.
In a video, Awoboku said the gesture was aimed at appreciating the retired police veterans and encouraging serving officers and the Nigeria Police Force to remain committed to service to the fatherland.
Reacting to the donation, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, expressed profound gratitude to the businessman for his generosity and support for the retired officers.
Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of SCID, DCP Dayo Akinbisehin, had paid glowing tributes to IGP Disu and CP Tijani for their leadership and support, which he said had helped the department and its retired veterans thrive.
In an appreciation letter to Awoboku on behalf of the commissioner and the beneficiaries, Akinbisehin wrote:
“May I, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Fatai Tijani, as well as the recently retired officers of this department, convey our profound appreciation for your benevolence and invaluable support towards the successful retirement reception organised in honour of our veteran officers.
“Your generous contribution constituted a remarkable demonstration of corporate responsibility, institutional solidarity and enduring goodwill towards the Nigeria Police Force.
“The occasion was further elevated by the physical presence of our Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu.”
The retirement ceremony, held at the SCID headquarters, Panti, Yaba, brought together senior police officers, dignitaries, colleagues and family members to celebrate 24 detectives who had completed 35 years of service to the nation.
Speaking at the event, IGP Disu commended the retirees for their sacrifices and assured them that the Nigeria Police Force would continue to support them even after their exit from active service.
Congratulating the officers, the IGP described their retirement as the completion of an important chapter in their careers, stressing that it would not end their relationship with the Force.
“Congratulations to all of you for successfully completing 35 years of service in the Nigeria Police Force. This is not the end of everything. We will continue to support you, even after service. We appreciate all you did for your fatherland,” Disu said.
Reassuring the retirees of the Force’s continued commitment to their welfare, he added:
“You are still police officers. For life, you are police officers. And we’ll continue to take care of your welfare. I wish you the best anywhere you go. Thank you so much.”
The 24 retirees were celebrated as men and women whose 35 years of service represented countless hours of commitment to public safety and the protection of lives and property.
Their careers, it was noted, were marked by night shifts, duties in heavy rain and work on public holidays, often at the expense of time with their families.
The event attracted an array of eminent personalities, including the Oba of Lagos, HRM Oba Rilwanu Osuolale Akiolu, who served as the royal father of the day, alongside his White Cap Chiefs.
Speakers at the ceremony acknowledged the retirees’ contributions to the investigation of complex and sensitive cases handled by the SCID, described as Lagos State’s foremost police investigation department.
Tributes were also paid to the spouses and families of the retired officers, some of whom accompanied the veterans to the event. They were praised for their sacrifices, particularly the long nights, missed celebrations and prolonged absences occasioned by the demands of police work.
One of the retirees, DSP Benson Emuerhi, described his 35-year career as challenging but fulfilling, saying his decision to join the Force was driven largely by his desire to serve humanity.
Emuerhi, who served in the Prosecution Department, recalled how he intervened in disputes involving minor cases that could otherwise have escalated into serious conflicts.
He said such experiences strengthened his commitment to public service but expressed concern that police officers were not sufficiently appreciated despite the enormous sacrifices their profession demanded.
Highlighting the peculiar demands of policing, he said officers were expected to remain available for duty regardless of weekends, public holidays or personal emergencies.
“Police work is different. There is no Saturday or Sunday when it comes to protecting lives and property,” he said.
Another retiree, DSP Rita Momah, who also completed about 35 years in the Force, stressed the importance of continuous training, professionalism and respect for human dignity in modern policing.
She urged serving officers to adopt a human face in their dealings with suspects, victims and members of the public, insisting that the protection of human dignity must remain central to police operations.
The ceremony was therefore not only a celebration of the retirees’ decades of service but also an opportunity to highlight the need for stronger institutional support, improved welfare and sustained investment in the well-being of police personnel.
The send-forth initiative, now in its third edition, has become an integral part of the SCID Panti tradition since Akinbisehin assumed leadership of the department.
The initiative was approved by CP Tijani in line with the Inspector-General of Police’s policy thrust, which prioritises the welfare of serving and retired personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.
With Awoboku’s gesture providing the retirees with long-term investment benefits, the recognition of the veteran detectives has taken on a new dimension.
The donation stands out as an encouraging example of private-sector support for public service veterans and a reminder that those who dedicate their lives to protecting society deserve to be celebrated and supported even after retirement.
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