The Delta State Police Command on Monday, December 30, 2025, held a colourful end-of-year celebration, promotion decoration and send-forth ceremony in honour of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Olufemi Abaniwonda, following his elevation from Commissioner of Police.
The ceremony, which took place at the Officers’ Mess, Police Headquarters, Asaba, drew top government officials, security chiefs, senior police officers, religious and community leaders, and members of the police family.
AIG Abaniwonda, who served as the 22nd Commissioner of Police in Delta State, was celebrated for his contributions to policing and security coordination in the state before his promotion to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police.
The Executive Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu. He conveyed the Governor’s goodwill message and commended AIG Abaniwonda for his professionalism, effective collaboration with the state government, sister security agencies, stakeholders and the people of Delta State.
The event also featured the decoration of officers recently promoted to higher ranks. Among those decorated were Ukoba Stephen, Divisional Crime Officer (DCO), Sapele Division; Akawe Ogorchukwu, Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Abavo Division; and Aguba Onen, DPO, Galilee Division, who were all promoted from the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP) to Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP).
Dignitaries at the ceremony included the Brigade Commander, 63 Brigade of the Nigerian Army; the Director, Department of State Services (DSS), Delta State Command; the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Delta State; and the Delta State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), represented by the Deputy Commander of Narcotics (Operations).
Others were the Deputy Commissioners of Police in charge of Administration and Operations, Delta State Command; the Controller of Corrections, Nigerian Correctional Service, Delta State Command, represented; the State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN); representatives of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA); the Chairman and members of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Delta State Chapter; honorary members of the Police Officers’ Mess; Area and Tactical Commanders; Divisional Police Officers; senior officers of the Command; and other guests.
Speakers at the event paid glowing tributes to AIG Abaniwonda, describing his leadership style as people-oriented and firm, with a strong commitment to professionalism, effective operational oversight, and sustained inter-agency and community engagement. They noted that his tenure significantly enhanced security coordination and boosted public confidence in policing across the state.
In his response, AIG Abaniwonda expressed deep appreciation to the Delta State Government, the people of the state, sister security agencies, and officers and men of the Command for their support and cooperation. He urged personnel to sustain professionalism, discipline and dedication to duty.
The ceremony ended with a group photograph session and warm interactions among guests, bringing the year to a memorable close and marking a dignified transition for a senior officer whose leadership and impact remain evident within the Delta State Police Command.
