For decades, the Lagos State Police Command stood as the nation’s most strategic and visible policing formation, yet without one powerful symbol of ceremony, unity and public engagement: its own musical band. That long-standing gap was finally closed on Friday, January 23, when the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commissioned the first-ever Lagos State Police Command Musical Band in a colourful and emotionally charged ceremony.
Amid the gleam of brass instruments and the disciplined formation of uniformed musicians, the IGP described the moment as more than the unveiling of a new unit. It was, he said, the restoration of a missing institutional voice, one that speaks not with words, but with melody, pride and national spirit.
“For the first time since its establishment, the Lagos State Command now possesses a band of its own, purposely to serve ceremonial and official purposes,” Egbetokun declared. “For many years, despite its prominence, the Command relied on the Force Headquarters band—an arrangement that was rational but not ideal. Today, that omission has been corrected.”
He noted that across Nigeria, the Police Band has long been a symbol of discipline, unity and professionalism, lending dignity to state functions and inspiring confidence among citizens. Its performances, he said, do more than entertain; they communicate the ideals of service, order and national cohesion.
“The work of the police band evokes inspiration and collective pride among officers and members of the public alike. Its music speaks of unity, discipline and purpose, reinforcing the values the Nigeria Police Force represents,” the IGP said.
Beyond the ceremonial pageantry, Egbetokun assured that the new Lagos band would be fully supported with modern equipment, sustained funding and continuous training to meet global standards. According to him, the commissioning marks the beginning of a deliberate effort to reposition the band as a strategic institutional asset.
For the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Jimoh Olohundare, the day was both historic and deeply personal. Welcoming the IGP, he described the occasion as a landmark in the evolution of the Command and a proud addition to its legacy.
“It is with great privilege and humility that I welcome the Inspector-General of Police for this historic commissioning,” CP Jimoh said. “The officers and men of this Command deeply appreciate his magnanimity in approving and personally inaugurating this band.”
Tracing the roots of the Nigeria Police Band to its establishment in 1966 at the Police College, Ikeja, CP Jimoh recalled its enduring reputation as a standard bearer for regimental parades and national ceremonies. He observed that the absence of a band in Lagos had long created an institutional vacuum in a state that hosts the nation’s most prominent official and social events.
“Establishing a police band in Lagos is not a luxury; it is a strategic necessity,” he said. “It will strengthen public trust, boost morale within the Force and enhance our professional image.”
Beyond its public-facing role, the Commissioner highlighted the human value of the initiative. In a high-pressure environment like Lagos, he explained, music offers officers a creative outlet, emotional balance and mental well-being, factors that ultimately translate into better performance and productivity.
With world-class instruments and modern facilities, the new band, he added, is positioned not only for ceremonial excellence but also for sanctioned performances and partnerships that could generate revenue without compromising professional ethics.
The ceremony drew a distinguished audience, including the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba; the Lagos State Governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin; the CEO of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Dr Ayo Ogunsan; the Director-General of NIHOTOUR, Aare Abisoye Fagade; and senior officers of the Armed Forces and other security agencies.
As the first notes rang out from the newly commissioned band, they carried more than music, they carried a message. In the heart of Nigeria’s bustling commercial capital, the Police now have a new rhythm, one designed to soften barriers, inspire confidence and strengthen the bond between the Force and the people it serves.