IGP: Police band has brought glory to the force

By Christopher Oji

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has described the Nigeria Police Band as a source of glory to the force.

The IGP stated this during the official launch and inauguration of the Lagos State Police Command Band over the weekend, at the POWA Hall, Ikeja GRA.

Also, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Olorundare Jimoh, harped on the importance of the band to the performance of the men and officers of the police force.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, represented at the launch by Barrister Abimbola Hundeyin, said the inauguration of the Police Band reflects a deeper idea that security is not built only on sirens or patrols but also with presence, partnership and shared experience. It’s about inclusivity.

The governor said, “Today’s launch is a symbol of a police force that listens as much as it commands and that recognizes the importance of engaging the community beyond enforcement.

“I commend the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force in Lagos State, particularly our dear energetic Commissioner of Police for the vision behind this commissioning. I also thank the Inspector-General of Police for approving and supporting today.

“This band reflects love, imagination, empathy and a genuine desire to bring the police closer to the people they serve. It is also a demonstration of affection and recognition of the culture of Lagosians; as you know, music is a strong fibre of our social life.”

The NPF boss, delivering his speech, said, “I congratulate the Commissioner of Police for this ceremony.

“This commissioning ceremony today has also drawn renewed attention to the Nigerian Police Band, an important institutional asset of the force. This attention will be matched in its deliberate efforts to further strengthen the band.”

Egbetokun noted that: “This commissioning should be understood not as an isolated project but as part of a broader approach to communal development. Professional policing is not sustained by operational activity alone.

“It is reinforced by strong leadership of the police force. The police force should have frameworks that promote discipline, cohesion and pride in service. The presence of the command’s band contributes directly to this objective.”

He added that, for the first time since its establishment, “this command now possesses a band of its own, purposefully built to serve in ceremonial, official and representational functions.”

“For many years, despite its strategic importance and its prominence within the Nigeria Police Force, the Lagos State Command operated without its essential institutional component. It has always relied on the Force Headquarters, an arrangement that was functional but not ideal.

“It underscored a structural omission within the command that should, by scale and responsibility, have not possessed this capacity internally.

“The Lagos State Police Command has brought glory to the Nigeria Police Band, hence,” the IGP said, and he pledged to further strengthen the law enforcement agency for more strides.

“This band, has brought glory to the Nigerian Police Force and its good music, inspirational music, has projected the police positively to the public.

“The Lagos State Police Command Band has over the years remained a source of pride for the force through consistent, excellent musical performance and professional conduct.

“The Nigeria Police Band has projected the Nigeria Police Force positively at both official and social engagements across the country.”

CP Olorundare Jimoh stated that, “The establishment of the Police Band is a strategic necessity that will enhance public trust, morale of the officers and men, and the professional image of the Nigerian Police Force in Lagos State.”

He explained that the existence of a police band in Lagos was a non-violent method of crime control; he also highlighted the usefulness of band music, stating that it helps to calm tension in a crowd, maintain order without force, guide movement during parades and processions.

The Lagos police boss said, “A police band humanizes the police, softens public perception and builds trust through music during public events, parades, state functions and during national and community engagements. It helps bridge the gap between citizen and the police to a very large extent.”

However, the IGP, who commissioned the band, said the band was open to the members of the public, adding, “You can patronize our band for weddings or any ceremony. The band has equipment and instruments that are of international standard.”