Afolabi assumes duty as 35th Abia Police Commissioner

The Abia State Police Command has received CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi as its new Commissioner of Police, making him the 35th officer to occupy the position.

Afolabi succeeds AIG Danladi Isa, who was promoted and redeployed to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Annex, Kaduna.

The new commissioner assumed office following his deployment to the state by the Nigeria Police Force.

In a statement issued on Monday, August 10, 2026, the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chioma Chinaka, described Afolabi as a highly experienced police officer with more than 30 years of service.

Afolabi joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992, as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police and has since held several command, operational, administrative and international policing positions.

His professional development includes the Strategic Leadership and Command Course at the National Institute of Police Studies, Abuja; Tactical Leadership Command Course at the Police Staff College, Jos; Internal Security/Low Intensity Conflict Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji; and a Peacekeeping Negotiation Course at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Ghana.

Afolabi also has considerable experience in international peacekeeping operations.

Between 2004 and 2005, he served as the pioneer Sector Commander of Sector 2, Nyala, and pioneer Regional Commander of Southern Darfur under the African Union Mission in Sudan.

During the mission, he was involved in establishing operational and administrative structures, setting up police stations in internally displaced persons’ camps and coordinating civil police activities.

Earlier, between 2001 and 2002, he served as Nigeria Contingent Commander and Special Response Unit Officer under the Human Rights Section of the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In that capacity, he participated in law enforcement reforms, system analysis and training programmes for local police personnel.

Before his latest deployment to Abia, Afolabi was Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration, Training and Development at Force Headquarters, Abuja.

He previously served as Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, where he oversaw administrative and operational activities, strengthened intelligence gathering, enhanced investigative effectiveness and promoted community policing.

He also served as Commissioner of Police and Force Equitation Officer, Mounted Troop, at Force Headquarters, where he supervised mounted police operations and ensured operational readiness and professionalism in crowd control and ceremonial duties.

Between 2021 and 2023, Afolabi served in several senior positions, including Deputy Commissioner of Police, Administration, Delta State Command; DCP, Criminal Investigation Department, Katsina State Command; and DCP, Operations, Bayelsa State Command.

As DCP Administration in Delta, he handled senior administrative duties and ensured compliance with police regulations. In Katsina, he supervised criminal investigations, while in Bayelsa, he coordinated operational and crime-prevention activities.

Between 2016 and 2021, he held various positions, including Area Commander in the Anambra State Command, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Operations, Imo State Command, and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Intelligence, Abuja.

From 2014 to 2016, Afolabi served as a Divisional Police Officer in different divisions within the Federal Capital Territory before being appointed a Directing Staff at the Police Staff College, Jos, where he trained and mentored senior police personnel.

His other assignments include serving as Sector Commander and Second-in-Command in Joint Task Force operations in Warri, Staff Officer at Force Headquarters and Unit Commander of the Police Mobile Force in Plateau State.

He was also among the first Nigerian police officers deployed to the African Union Mission in Darfur and served as the last Contingent Commander of the Nigeria Police Team to the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Afolabi has participated in the organisation of major international events, including the All African Games and Commonwealth Summit, and has served as an Aide-de-Camp to visiting Heads of State.

He is a Fellow of the Peace and Security Studies Department of the University of Port Harcourt and a Justice of the Peace.

The Abia Police Command described the new commissioner as a disciplined, strategic and result-oriented officer whose career reflects a strong commitment to public safety, professional policing and international security standards.

The Command urged traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations, stakeholders and residents across the state to give Afolabi the necessary support and cooperation.

It said the cooperation of the public would be crucial to his efforts to strengthen security, improve policing and protect lives and property throughout Abia State.

Afolabi is married with children and enjoys travelling and reading.

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