IGP Appoints DCP Hope Isiani Okereke as Head of Enugu Police SCID

IGP Appoints DCP Hope Isiani Okereke as Head of Enugu Police SCID

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has deployed Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Hope Isiani Okereke to the Enugu State Police Command as the officer in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

DCP Okereke officially resumed duty on January 5, 2026, and has since assumed full operational and supervisory responsibility for criminal investigations within the Enugu State Command, the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) reports.

The deployment reflects the confidence of the Nigeria Police Force leadership in her professional competence, investigative expertise, administrative capacity and unwavering commitment to discipline, integrity and due-process policing.

Professional Background

DCP Hope Isiani Okereke is a seasoned career police officer with over two decades of service across operational, investigative, intelligence and administrative roles. She is a graduate of the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics and Communication Studies. She enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on August 15, 2002, and graduated from the Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State, in 2004.

Early Career and Investigative Experience

Her early career postings provided a solid foundation in frontline policing and intelligence operations. These include service as Divisional Traffic Officer in Borno State Command (2004), posting to the State Intelligence Bureau, now State Intelligence Department (2005–2006), and Divisional Crime Officer II at Olu-Obasanjo Police Station, Rivers State (2007–2009).

Operational Leadership and Command Roles

DCP Okereke later held several key operational and leadership positions, including Women Unit Commander, 56 Police Mobile Force, Ogoni, Rivers State (2009–2012); Divisional Crime Officer at Mini-Okoro Police Station (2012–2013); and Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Sani Abacha Division (2013–2014).

She also served as DPO at Olu-Obasanjo Divisional Headquarters, Rivers State (2014–2015), where she earned an Award for Most Outstanding Performing DPO. Her subsequent postings included DPO at Abuloma Division (2015–2016) and Okporo Division (2016–2017), both in Rivers State.

Service in Enugu and Zonal Command

Transferred to Enugu State Command in 2017, she served as Administrative Officer at the SCID before becoming DPO, Trans-Ekulu Division in 2018. Her tenure was marked by strengthened administrative control, improved discipline and enhanced community policing.

She later served as DPO at A.I. Road Division (2019) and New Haven Division (2020). Following her promotion to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in 2020, she was deployed to Zone 9 Headquarters, Umuahia, Abia State, as ACP Operations, where she demonstrated strong operational coordination and adherence to investigative standards.

In 2022, she returned to Enugu State Command as ACP Administration, overseeing personnel management, discipline, postings and internal control systems.

Current Appointment

Upon her promotion to Deputy Commissioner of Police, the IGP deployed DCP Okereke to head the State Criminal Investigation Department, Enugu State Command. In this role, she oversees investigations of serious and capital offences, supervises evidential and prosecutorial standards, and ensures that all cases forwarded for prosecution are lawful, evidence-based and professionally sound.

Professional Ethos

DCP Okereke is widely regarded within the Force for her discipline, firm supervisory approach, strict adherence to evidence-led investigations, emphasis on integrity and accountability, and professional public conduct. Integrity remains her defining professional value.

Conclusion

The appointment of DCP Hope Isiani Okereke as head of the Enugu State SCID underscores the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to professionalism, ethical policing and credible criminal investigations. Under her leadership, criminal investigations in Enugu State are expected to be conducted strictly in accordance with the law, with professionalism, integrity and full respect for human rights.