By: Sesan Rufus Awobiye
In an inspiring show of leadership, humility, and community service, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba—DCP Dayo Akinbisehin—was seen engaging in a community-wide sanitation exercise early Thursday morning, April 3, 2025, alongside his officers, in a move that has drawn widespread commendation.
This activity comes in response to the recent directive issued by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, who declared the first week of April 2025 as a National Police Sanitation Week. The IGP urged all officers and departments of the Nigeria Police Force to set aside this period to prioritize cleanliness and environmental hygiene within their respective jurisdictions. The move is part of broader efforts to bridge the gap between the police and the people through community engagement and public service.
As Momentous Media was on assignment passing through Musiliu Smith Street in Yaba, we witnessed a rare and commendable sight: DCP Dayo Akinbisehin, recently appointed to lead SCID Panti, was not only supervising the sanitation effort but personally took up brooms and cleaning tools, sweeping and participating fully in the clean-up exercise. His actions were not for show—this was a genuine commitment to community service.
Alongside him was Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Shola Omilade, who also rolled up his sleeves and worked side-by-side with officers—male and female alike—as they cleared debris, cleaned gutters, and swept the streets of Yaba. The officers, dressed in casual duty gear, brought energy and unity to the initiative, sending a strong message that the Police Force is more than just law enforcement; it is a partner in progress and environmental responsibility.
This initiative also aligns with the commemoration of the Nigeria Police Week 2025, which was officially flagged off on April 2, 2025, across all police formations in the country. The clean-up exercise at SCID Panti is one of the many activities lined up to celebrate National Police Day and to reinforce the role of the police as custodians of public safety and societal wellbeing—not just in terms of security, but also in fostering a healthy and clean environment.
DCP Akinbisehin, in a brief chat with members of the community, emphasized that his leadership at Panti will be marked by openness, accountability, and community engagement. He noted that sanitation and welfare efforts are not merely ceremonial, but an integral part of police-community relations that must be sustained beyond the Police Week.
“This is about showing that we are part of the society we serve,” he said. “When we clean our environment, we clean our conscience. When we engage with our communities positively, we build trust.”
The outreach also featured brief welfare checks and conversations with local residents, many of whom expressed surprise and appreciation at the officers’ presence and hands-on involvement in the sanitation drive. It was a heartwarming moment of synergy between the Force and the people, with many community members even joining in to support the clean-up.
This symbolic but powerful gesture by DCP Akinbisehin and his team sends a strong message to police formations nationwide—that leadership begins with service. And in this case, it begins with a broom and a vision for a cleaner, safer Nigeria.
As Momentous Magazine reflects on this commendable initiative, it becomes clear that this is more than a sanitation exercise. It is a step toward reshaping public perception, rekindling trust, and fostering a culture where law enforcement officers are seen as role models and agents of positive change.
Indeed, cleanliness, like justice, must begin at home—and on the streets of Yaba, that message was loud and clear.
