The Inspector-General of Police of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), IGP Tunji Disu, has honoured a retired traffic controller, DST Anifat Abiodun Bello, for her diligence, commitment and exemplary service while serving in Ogun State.
The IGP honoured the retired officer with the IGP’s Award of Recognition.
Bello, popularly known as “Mummy Dorcas” by some residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, was recently celebrated by residents as she marked her retirement from the Nigeria Police Force on September 2, 2026.
The unusual show of appreciation followed years of dedicated service by the officer, who residents said distinguished herself through efficiency, discipline and commitment to duty.
Rather than allow her final day in active service to pass quietly, residents gathered around Bello with musical instruments, including drummers and trumpeters, turning her retirement into an emotional celebration.
Residents also presented her with cash gifts and took turns to acknowledge her contributions to traffic management and her cordial relationship with members of the community.
The gesture reportedly attracted attention within the Nigeria Police Force and prompted the IGP to invite the retired officer to the Force Headquarters in Abuja, where she was accompanied by her husband.
At the ceremony, Disu presented Bello with an award and an undisclosed cash gift in recognition of her service.
The IGP said the residents’ decision to celebrate the officer was an indication that she had built a positive relationship with the community through the manner in which she performed her duties.
According to him, police officers who discharge their responsibilities properly can earn the trust and affection of members of the public.
“They are happy with you. They brought the drummers and the trumpeters. We felt happy about it because it shows love from the community and in extension to us,” Disu said.
He added that Bello’s reception by residents demonstrated that she had “been doing her job well” and had made friends with members of the community.
The IGP said the Police Force was proud of her conduct, stressing that the institution had a responsibility to recognise officers who brought honour to the organisation.
“We know that people don’t want to hate the police if we do the right thing. You did the right thing and it made people love you,” he said.
Disu explained that the invitation to the Force Headquarters was intended to demonstrate that the Police Force could also recognise and appreciate officers who distinguished themselves in service.
“If you have disgraced us, if you have done something wrong, if you have disgraced the Police, that day, we would have brought you here and we would have punished you,” he said.
“Now that you have done us well, we still need to bring you here and say thank you to you. That is why members of the management team are here to see you.”
The IGP also prayed for Bello’s wellbeing in retirement and urged her to continue to enjoy the goodwill she had earned from members of the public.
Her husband, speaking at the occasion, said he was overwhelmed by the recognition accorded his wife.
“I am short of words. I am really overwhelmed. I don’t know what to say. I know she was really passionate about her job. She did it diligently, with passion and joy,” he said.
He added that he never expected to find himself sitting before the IGP and members of the police management team, describing his presence at the ceremony as a result of his wife’s service.
In her response, Bello expressed gratitude to her husband for supporting her career, recalling a difficult moment in their marriage when he had asked her to choose between him and her job.
She said, “In 2012, he told me to choose either him or my job. I pleaded that he should give me time and that we will both enjoy together. I thank God for him that he gave me the time.”
Bello explained that the couple had lived apart during her years of service, with her husband based in Ibadan, Oyo State, while she served in Ogun State.
“He comes home weekend. All this happened when we just got married. I thank God he listened to me,” she said.
The retired officer also thanked the IGP, the police management team and members of the public for recognising her service.
“I thank you all for being there for me. Thank you for giving me the privilege to do it. I would not have been able to do it,” she added.
