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BY ABU-SATAR HAMED
ILARO-YEWA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA – The Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba (Dr.) Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, MFR, has commended the Inspector General of Police, IG Kayode Egbetokun, PhD, for promptly rewarding diligence and outstanding performance among officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force.
Oba Olugbenle made this known on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, during the official decoration ceremony of newly promoted officers of MOPOL 84 Ilaro, who were recently elevated to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police II (ASP II).
The monarch, represented by Chiefs and Baales led by Chief Thomas Lala, the Bobaseto of Ilaro-Yewa, noted that the gesture would not only boost the morale of the beneficiaries to remain diligent in their duties, but also encourage their colleagues awaiting promotion to work harder for future consideration.
While congratulating the newly promoted officers, Oba Olugbenle charged them to regard their elevation as a call to greater service, emphasizing that higher rank comes with greater responsibility.
He also commended the officers and men of the newly established MOPOL 84 Ilaro Command for their professionalism and discipline since their deployment to the area.
According to the monarch, feedback from residents across the region regarding the conduct of MOPOL 84 officers has been positive and commendable.
He urged the officers and other security agencies operating in the area to sustain their cordial relationship with the host community, describing Ilaro and Ogun West as among the most peaceful regions in Nigeria.
Oba Olugbenle further expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, IG Egbetokun, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, and Senator Solomon Adeola for facilitating the establishment of the MOPOL 84 Ilaro Command.
He assured of continued cordial relations between the people of Ogun West and all security agencies operating in the region.
The royal father also offered prayers for Nigeria, Ogun State, and particularly the newly promoted officers and their colleagues, wishing them successful and impactful tenures in their respective assignments.
In his remarks at the event, ACP Bamidele Job Olorunsola, the Area Commander, Ilaro Police Command, urged the newly promoted officers to see their new ranks (ASP II) as a call to greater dedication and commitment to duty.
“Now that you have been promoted to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police II (ASP II), you should be good ambassadors of the Inspector General of Police wherever you are posted. You should also represent the Ogun State Commissioner of Police and your Squadron Commander with dignity”, he said.
According to the Area Commander, promotion comes with additional responsibilities, saying, “You should expect more tasks and be diligent in your duties.
He reiterated that by the nature of police work, commanders may not always be physically present, which makes unit heads responsible for supervising junior officers and checking excesses.
ACP Bamidele urged the newly promoted officers to lead by example and avoid any conduct that could bring disrepute to the Force.
Quoting advice earlier shared at the event, ACP Bamidele reminded them that as adults, they already know what is right and wrong.
He emphasized that they were now in a new environment and must strictly adhere to the Nigeria Police Force code of conduct.
The Area Commander warned them not to operate outside their assigned posts, stressing that wherever they are deployed – including specific duty points such as Sayedero Market in Ilaro – they must comport themselves as disciplined officers conscious of the uniform they wear.
He prayed for divine guidance and protection for the newly promoted ASP II officers, their families, their superiors, and all personnel of MOPOL 84 Ilaro Command, as well as other security agencies in the region.
In his welcome address, the Squadron Commander of MOPOL 84 Ilaro Command, ACP Olawale Katibi Biliamin, expressed profound appreciation to IG Kayode Egbetokun for prioritizing the welfare of officers and men under his leadership.
He described promotion as an essential component of welfare and recognition, noting that it serves as a means of acknowledging and rewarding officers for their hard work and dedication.
ACP Biliamin also extended gratitude to Oba (Dr.) Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, the Asade Agunloye IV, for warmly receiving the command into Yewaland and for the consistent support of the palace.
He observed that since arriving in Ilaro, he had discovered it to be not only a peaceful town, but also a blessed and accommodating ancient community.
According to him, the character and integrity of the monarch’s Chiefs reflect the peace and orderliness enjoyed in the town.
Despite the short notice given to the palace, he appreciated the prompt presence of the royal representatives and thanked them for their patience and support.
He further acknowledged the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, and his management team for their unwavering support to the command, noting that trust and effective leadership from the top make operations smoother at the command level.
ACP Biliamin also appreciated the Area Commander, ACP Bamidele Job Olorunsola, describing him as a colleague and course mate whose earlier remarks had already covered much of the advice intended for the newly promoted ASP II officers.
He informed the officers that they must begin to think and act like senior officers, explaining that the ASP II cadre is regarded as a probationary and sensitive stage in an officer’s career.
“You may see the one star as just a symbol, but it carries more weight than the ‘two railway lines’ of the Inspector rank”, he said, urging them to internalize the advice given at the ceremony.
He cautioned that officers at that level are still under assessment and must demonstrate maturity, responsibility, and sound judgment, warning that failure to meet expectations could attract disciplinary measures.
Emphasizing the peaceful nature of Ilaro, he urged the officers not to create problems in a community already known for tranquility, adding that their presence should further enhance the peace enjoyed in the area.
He congratulated the newly promoted officers and wishing them and others awaiting promotion greater heights, prosperity, good health, and successful careers.
Decoration ceremony of the 20 ASP II officers was jointly conducted by ACP Olawale Katibi Biliamin and ACP Bamidele Job Olorunsola, assisted by representatives of the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland which included Chief Thomas Lala, the Bobaseto of Ilaro-Yewa; Alhaji (Chief) Hon. Sunmola Adewale, the Okanlomo of Ilaro-Yewa; Chief Segun Kehinde, the Aare Onimo-Ero of Ilaro-Yewa; Elhadj (Otunba) Abu-Satar Idowu Hamed, the Otun Baaroyin of Ilaro-Yewa; Otunba Idowu Onifade, the Otun Onimo-Ero of Ilaro-Yewa and Chief Abdullahi Aliyu, the Asoju Tapa Ilaro-Yewa.
Others were Chief Simeon Adeboye Fagbohun, the Baale Fagbohun of Ilaro-Yewa; Chief Babatunde Yinusa, the Baale Idi Isin of Ilaro-Yewa; Chief Olalekan Ajibola, Baale Gbogidi of Ilaro-Yewa; Chief Wasiu Adeyemi, the Baale Atoyo of Ilaro-Yewa and Chief Gbenga Olajide, the Baale Kakanfo of Ilaro-Yewa.
Delivering the vote of thanks on behalf of the newly promoted officers, ASP II Moses Ikagwu expressed deep appreciation to IG Kayode Egbetokun and all senior officers responsible for the promotion.
He also thanked Oba Olugbenle for his prayers and fatherly support toward MOPOL 84 Ilaro Command and other security agencies in the region.
ASP II Ikagwu assured that the newly promoted officers would heed the advice given and remain committed to maintaining peaceful coexistence with their host communities.
The event concluded with a closing prayer by Chief (Engr.) Segun Kehinde, the Aare Onimo-Ero of Ilaro-Yewa, followed by a group photograph with the newly promoted officers and dignitaries in attendance.
The ceremony was professionally anchored by DSP Oni Joseph Boluwatife, AO, 84 PMF, Ilaro-Yewa.
