The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has honoured pioneer female police officers for their contributions to the development of the Nigeria Police Force, reaffirming the force’s commitment to equal professional opportunities for women.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, following Disu’s attendance at the launch of a book documenting the history of women in policing in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Tuesday.
The book, titled The Origin of Police Women in Nigeria: The Story of the Pioneer Women Officers and My Journey in the Nigeria Police Force (1955–1996), was authored by retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, Dame Stella O. Okuyiga.
Disu, who served as the chief launcher at the event held at the Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt, described the publication as an important contribution to preserving the institutional history of the police and celebrating the courage and resilience of the women who paved the way for subsequent generations.
The IGP noted that Okuyiga was among the first 20 women recruited into the Nigeria Police Force in 1955, adding that the pioneering officers helped expand the role of women in law enforcement.
He said women had continued to distinguish themselves in various areas of policing, including criminal investigation, intelligence, tactical operations, specialist policing and strategic leadership.
Disu reaffirmed the force’s commitment to merit-based career advancement and equal professional opportunities, stressing that the contributions of pioneer officers must be preserved to inspire future generations.
The police chief recalled his earlier engagement with Okuyiga while serving as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, when she expressed her desire to update and formally present the book.
He commended the retired officer for documenting the experiences and contributions of the pioneer generation of policewomen, urging serving and retired officers, institutions and members of the public to support the publication.
Disu also called for the book to be made available in police formations, training institutions and libraries to ensure that future generations of officers could learn from the experiences of the pioneers.
In her response, Okuyiga expressed appreciation to the IGP and the Nigeria Police Force for their support in bringing the publication to fruition.
She said making the book available in police libraries and training institutions would preserve the experiences and sacrifices of the pioneer female officers for future generations.
The retired officer expressed satisfaction that her story and contributions would continue to form part of the institutional history of the Nigeria Police Force beyond her lifetime.
The event was attended by the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Dagogo Wokoma; the Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, represented by the Director of the Police Services Department, Ezekiel Audu; and other serving and retired senior police officers.
Also present were the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adewole Adepoju; retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police Ivy Uche Okoronkwo; traditional rulers; representatives of sister security agencies; members of the Police Officers’ Wives Association; and other dignitaries.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to preserving its institutional history, recognising the contributions of officers who laid the foundation for its development and ensuring that professional advancement and leadership opportunities remained accessible to all personnel based on competence, professionalism and merit.
