It is indeed a period of heightened excitement across various Police Commands as Police Commissioners, officers and personnel mark this year’s National Police Day.
The annual National Police Day, observed every April 7, was approved by the presidency to recognize the sacrifices and dedication of police officers in maintaining national security, peace, and justice. It also serves as an opportunity to honor fallen heroes whose courage continues to inspire the Force.
The event, running from April 3 to 5, aligns with this year’s theme, “Say NO to Crime,” which emphasizes collective efforts in addressing issues such as cultism, drug abuse, sexual-based violence, cybercrime, and kidnapping.
The FCT Police Command kick-started the celebrations with a three-day community outreach initiative aimed at fostering stronger ties between law enforcement and the public. The opening day saw a clean-up exercise spearheaded by the Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale. Officers and personnel of the FCT Police Command took part in cleaning Lagos Street, Garki, and the Palace of the Sa’peyi of Garki.
The exercise underscored the role of a clean and safe environment in enhancing security and community development.
Commissioner Adewale expressed appreciation to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, for his dedication to community policing and reforming the Nigeria Police Force.
The Nasarawa State Police Command launched a series of community-focused initiatives, including a free medical outreach and sensitization campaign, to mark this year’s event, and strengthen police-community relations.
The program, which includes free medical consultations, treatment of common illnesses, blood pressure checks, blood sugar testing, deworming for children, and vaccinations, aligns with the directive of the IGP.
According to SP Ramhan Nansel, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, the activities officially kicked off on Wednesday at the Police Officers’ Mess, Jos Road, Lafia, with a free medical outreach and awareness campaign. According to him, the medical exercise will run daily from April 2–3, 2025, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
He added that as part of the broader initiative, the command has lined up additional programs aimed at fostering community engagement and promoting public safety, including: free medical services, stakeholder engagement and sensitization sessions, environmental sanitation and cleanup campaigns, awareness campaigns against cultism and other social vices.
In Benue state, the Police Command’s spokesperson, CSP Anne Sewuese, says the Command, under the leadership of CP Stave Yabanet, is set to mark the event on April 7, 2025. She said the event aims to recognize the dedication and invaluable contributions of police officers to society.
Activities lined up for the celebration include: medical outreach, awareness and educational programs in schools on cultism and violent extremism, community sanitation exercises, and
a town hall meeting with key stakeholders to enhance policing in the state.
The story is the same in Adamawa state, where preparations by the state Command are in top gear to mark the event. The spokesperson for the command, Suleiman Nguroje, disclosed in a statement on Wednesday, that the Command is set to commence free medical outreach in communities, among other engagements, to commemorate the event.
He said that the outreach would foster a spirit of collaboration and humanitarian services.
“The command is committed to promoting public health by offering free medical services to community members.
“This initiative underscores the police’s humanitarian role and to better serve our community’s health needs”, he said.
As the Nigeria Police sets to organise its maiden National Police Day on April 7, 2025, in Abuja, there is a need to address the problems of increasing professionalism, welfare, training, equipment, and manpower to achieve the vision of IGP Egbetokun for the Nigeria Police, which centres on a professionally competent, service-driven, rule-of-law compliant, and people-friendly force that supports government initiatives for economic recovery, growth, and social/political development.
