For the first time in its history, the Lagos State Police Command yesterday officially launched its own Police Band.
The Police Band was launched by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun at the POWA Multipurpose Hall, Oduduwa Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, drawing senior officers, guests and stakeholders from the criminal justice sector and the military.
Speaking at the event, IGP Egbetokun, congratulated the State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Moshood Jimoh for establishing the Lagos State Police Band.
According to him, “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 assets of the Force. This attention will be matched in its deliberate efforts to further strengthen the band.
“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 band contributes directly to this objective, the Police boss said.
IGP Egbetokun highlighted, “For the first time since its establishment, this command now possesses a band of its own, purposedly built to serve a 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.
According to him, “The Lagos State Police Command has brought glory to the Nigeria Police Band, henced he pledged to further strengthen the law enforcement agency for more strides.
In his words, “This band, has brought glory to the Nigerian Police Force and its good music, inspirational music has projected the police positively to the public.
He further applauded the Nigeria force and in particular the Lagos State Police Command.
He continued, “The Lagos State Police 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. Its performances have reinforced public confidence, enhanced ceremonial dignity and strengthened the image of the force beyond the operational space. There is also an intangible factor to the work of the police band, whenever it performs, it evokes a sense of inspiration and collective pride among officers and members of the public alike.”
CP Jimoh launches Lagos Police Band
In his welcome speech, the CP Olohundare said 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 is a non-violent method of calm management as he highlighted the usefulness of band music, stating that it helps to calm the tension crowd, maintain order without force, guide movement during parades and processions.
He also said that, “A police band humanises the police, softens public perception and builds trust through music during public events, parades, state functions and during national engagements and community engagements. It helps bridge the gap between the citizen and the police to a very large extent.
Also speaking at the event, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by former Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Abimbola Salihu Hundeyin said that the launch 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.
“Today’s launch is a symbol of a police force that listens as much as it commands and that recognises the importance of engaging the community beyond enforcement.
“I commend the leadership of the Nigerian 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 the Lagosians, as you know, music is a strong fibre of our social life.”
Meanwhile, the brand new Lagos Police Band thrilled the audience with sonorous and well-coordinated musical performances, setting the tone for what the Command described as a new era of enhanced ceremonial presence.
Dignitaries at the event include AIG Adegoke Fayoade, former Force Secretary, Retired AIG Yetunde Longe; Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Lawal Pedro, Lagos State Chief Judge, Kazeem Alogba, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, Force Public Relations Officer; SP. Abimbola Adebisi, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer; CSP Omolola Odutola, Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan; Police Ambassador and singer Korede Bello; DCP Favour Chinonyerem, Director of Music, The Nigeria Police Band; Rotimi Aderibigbe, Police Music master, among other senior security officials from the Navy, Air Force, Army, Civil Defence, the Chairperson of POWA and wife of Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mrs. Risqat Jimoh, other stakeholders.
