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The former Commissioner of Police in Delta State, now AIG Olufemi Abaniwonda, has formally handed over leadership of the Command following his promotion and redeployment to the Department of Operations at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Abaniwonda, who led the Command through several security operations during his tenure, expressed appreciation to the Delta State Government, traditional institutions, security partners and residents for what he described as “consistent cooperation and support.”

Speaking at the brief handover ceremony, the outgoing police chief urged communities to continue working closely with law-enforcement agencies, noting that sustained collaboration remains critical to maintaining safety and order across the state.

He also called on stakeholders to extend the same level of trust and partnership to his successor, CP Aina Adesola, saying continuity in support would strengthen policing outcomes.

Abaniwonda commended officers and men of the Command for their professionalism, urging them to remain disciplined, committed and responsive to the expectations of the public.

With his redeployment, the former Delta CP now joins the top operational leadership team at the Force Headquarters, where he is expected to contribute to national security coordination and policing strategy.

The handover marks a formal transition in the Delta State Police Command, as the new Commissioner takes charge with a mandate to consolidate security operations and deepen community-based policing initiatives across the state.

Meanwhile, the Delta State Police Command has announced the assumption of duty by CP Aina Adesola as the 23rd Commissioner of Police, following the redeployment of his predecessor, now AIG Olufemi Abaniwonda, to the Department of Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

A career officer who joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1994, CP Adesola brings extensive operational, investigative and administrative experience to his new role. He began his policing journey in Delta State in 1996, serving in Ogwashi-Uku, and has since held several strategic postings across the country.

His previous assignments include Divisional Police Officer, Aswani Division (2012–2015); Officer-in-Charge, Homicide, Edo State Command (2016); OC X-Squad, Zone 2, Lagos (2016); Assistant Commissioner of Police, Finance and Administration, Abia State Command (2018–2022); Commandant, Police Training School, Oyin-Akoko (2022); Deputy Commissioner of Police at the Force Headquarters, Abuja; and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Delta State Command (2023–2025).

After his elevation to the rank of Commissioner of Police in 2025, he served as Deputy Commandant, Police College, Ikeja, before being posted back to Delta State in January 2026.

According to the Command, CP Adesola has undertaken several specialised and leadership trainings, including courses at the Police Staff College, Jos; Police Mobile Training School, Gwoza; and community policing training programmes, as well as international law-enforcement courses in Botswana and the United States.

Described as disciplined and community-oriented, the new Commissioner pledged to strengthen existing security frameworks and deepen proactive policing strategies across the state. He appealed to residents to continue supporting law-enforcement agencies and urged youths to shun criminal activities.

“I assure Deltans that the Command under my leadership will remain firm, professional and proactive in making the state increasingly hostile to criminal elements,” he said while addressing the press.

In his handing-over remarks, outgoing Commissioner, now AIG Abaniwonda, thanked the Delta State Government and residents for their cooperation during his tenure and called on stakeholders to extend the same support to his successor.

The Police Command reiterated its commitment to crime prevention, community partnership and enhanced security across Delta State.