The Abia State Police Command has announced the assumption of duty of CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi as the 35th Commissioner of Police in the state.
CP Afolabi takes over from AIG Danladi Isa, who has been promoted and redeployed to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex in Kaduna.
The new Abia Commissioner of Police is a seasoned officer of the Nigeria Police Force with more than three decades of professional experience spanning command, administration, criminal investigation, intelligence, operations, training and international peacekeeping.
CP Afolabi joined the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) on May 18, 1992. Since then, he has risen through the ranks, building a career distinguished by discipline, professionalism and commitment to duty.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Botany from the University of Ilorin, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma and Master’s degree in Peace and Security Studies from the University of Port Harcourt.
His professional training 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 Peacekeeping Negotiation Course at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Ghana.
CP Afolabi also has significant international policing and peacekeeping experience. 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 assignment, he played a key role in establishing operational and administrative structures, setting up police stations within internally displaced persons’ camps and coordinating civil police activities.
Earlier, between 2001 and 2002, he served as the Nigeria Contingent Commander and Special Response Unit Officer under the Human Rights Section of the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. His responsibilities included contributing to law enforcement reforms, system analysis and the development of training programmes for local police personnel.
Before his latest deployment to Abia State, CP Afolabi served as Commissioner of Police, Administration, Training and Development at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
He previously served as Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, where he was responsible for coordinating administrative and operational activities, strengthening intelligence gathering, improving investigative processes and promoting community policing initiatives aimed at building public confidence.
He also served as the Force Equitation Officer, Mounted Troop, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, where he supervised mounted police operations and maintained operational readiness and professional standards in crowd control and ceremonial duties.
Between 2021 and 2023, CP Afolabi served in several Deputy Commissioner of Police positions, including DC Administration, Delta State Command; DC Criminal Investigation Department, Katsina State Command; and DC Operations, Bayelsa State Command.
In these capacities, he handled administrative responsibilities, supervised criminal investigations and coordinated crime prevention and operational strategies.
From 2016 to 2021, he served in various capacities, including Area Commander in Anambra State, Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations in Imo State and Assistant Commissioner of Police Intelligence in Abuja.
Between 2014 and 2016, he served as a Divisional Police Officer in different divisions within Abuja and also worked as a Directing Staff at the Police Staff College, Jos, where he contributed to the training and mentoring of senior police officers.
His career has also included several specialised operational assignments. These 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, where he participated in combat operations, riot control and other specialised policing duties.
CP Afolabi has equally undertaken important national and international assignments. He was among the first Nigerian police officers deployed to the African Union Mission in Sudan and served as the last Contingent Commander of the Nigeria Police Team to the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He has also served as an Aide-De-Camp to visiting Heads of State and participated in preparations for major international events, including the All African Games and Commonwealth Summit.
The new Abia Commissioner of Police is a Fellow of the Peace and Security Studies Department of the University of Port Harcourt and a Justice of the Peace (JP).
With his extensive command experience, international exposure and professional training, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi is expected to bring his wealth of experience to bear on policing and security operations in Abia State.
The Abia State Police Command has called on residents, community leaders, traditional institutions, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to cooperate with the new Commissioner of Police as he assumes responsibility for maintaining law and order across the state.
The Command said the support and cooperation of the public will be crucial to strengthening security, preventing crime and sustaining peaceful communities throughout Abia State.
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The statement was signed by DSP Maureen Chioma Chinaka, Police Public Relations Officer, Abia State Command, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, and dated August 10, 2026.
