IGP Disu Honours Viral Ogun Traffic Warden Anifa Bello for 35 Years of Service
Abuja, Nigeria—September 17, 2026—In a heartwarming recognition of quiet excellence, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu on Thursday presented the IGP’s Award of Recognition and cash support to retired Deputy Superintendent of Traffic (DST) Anifa Bello Abiodun at Force Headquarters in Abuja.
The ceremony celebrated the officer’s nearly 35 years of dedicated service, most of it spent managing traffic in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
From her early postings to her long years at the busy NNPC Junction in Ibara, Anifa Bello became a familiar and trusted figure to motorists and residents alike.
A Career Built on Discipline and Resilience
Anifa Bello Abiodun joined the Nigeria Police Force in September 1991 as a young woman from Idowa in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. She had originally hoped to pursue further studies but found herself in traffic warden training after a series of unexpected turns. She never looked back.
Over the decades she controlled chaotic junctions, faced the dangers of the road—including a serious accident that cost her two teeth—and maintained remarkable composure even under provocation.
One widely recalled incident in 2016 saw her assaulted by a superior officer while on duty; she neither retaliated nor abandoned her post. The Force later investigated and sanctioned the offending officer.
Residents of Abeokuta later celebrated her send-off with genuine affection, describing her as a model of patience, humility, and professionalism.
Her quiet consistency eventually drew national attention, turning the once-unassuming traffic officer into a symbol of the best of the Nigeria Police Force.
IGP’s Message of Recognition
Presenting the award, IGP Disu praised Anifa Bello’s “professionalism, discipline, resilience, and dedication to traffic management.”
He stressed that while the Force continues to hold officers accountable for misconduct, it is equally important to publicly reward those who serve with integrity.
“Members of the public appreciate the Police when officers discharge their duties professionally and responsibly,” the IGP noted.
He said Anifa’s career demonstrated the standard every officer should aspire to, especially young female personnel.
The recognition included cash support, underscoring the Force’s effort to celebrate exemplary conduct alongside its accountability measures.
Why Her Story Matters
In a profession often judged by its failures, Anifa Bello Abiodun’s journey offers a different narrative—one of everyday courage, consistency and quiet patriotism.
From the streets of Abeokuta to the highest levels of the Force Headquarters, her story has reminded many Nigerians that dedicated public service still earns respect when it is genuine.
The Nigeria Police Force has invited the public to watch the full recognition ceremony and her story on its official YouTube channel, capturing both the formal honour and the human moments behind it.
As she steps fully into retirement at 56, DST Anifa Bello Abiodun leaves behind a legacy of service that residents of Ogun State and colleagues across the Force will not quickly forget.
Her recognition by the Inspector-General stands as official confirmation of what many on the roads of Abeokuta already knew: she served with distinction.
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