Segun Atanda/
Apparently, police chief, Adeyinka Kolawole Sodipo, never knew how much he meant to his colleagues until last Wednesday, when he was pulled out of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) at the attainment of the retirement age of 60.
The Force Headquarters Annex, at Kam Salem House on Moloney Street and the Officers’ Mess at Onikan, were flooded with top shots in NPF, who staged colourful ceremonies to honour the retiring Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Marine operations, who had served Nigeria for 32 years, four months and 24 days.
The officers came into Lagos from various parts of the country. At a point, their show of love almost moved Sodipo to tears.
The atmosphere at Kam Salem House was lifted with rolling drums accompanied by gusts of brass instruments as the police band played funfair and solemn tunes bidding farewell to the officer and his wife, Ibironke.
What with the snow white and ebony black ensemble of the band boys and the loud ruby red and black uniform of the guards of honour, it was like Christmas all over again.
After all the farewell parade drills, Sodipo was pulled out in a black Land Rover, marked NPF 524 B, attached to two long white tug-of-war ropes laboriously dragged by senior officers who formed two distinctive alignments.
Top officers who pulled Sodipo out at Kam Salem included: AIG at Zone 11 headquarters, Osogbo, Mr Oshodi Glover; AIG in charge of operations at the Force Headquarters, Mr Taiwo Lakanu; AIG in charge of Training, Mr Sani Mohammed; Abia State commissioner of police (CP) Adeleye Oyebade; the Deputy Force Secretary, CP Dave Akinremi; CP in charge of Marine Police, Mr David Folawiyo; Bauchi State CP, Mr Garba Umar; the CP, Rivers’ Eastern Port Command, Mr Alex Opara; CP Besan Dapiya Gwana; Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Lagos operations, Mr Titilayo Kayode; DCP Isaac Akinmoyede; DCP Adeyemi G.I; DCP A.B. Abubakar; Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Kehinde Longe, ACP Kayode Samuel, ACP A.C. Chimezie, and the Area Commander at Lion Building, ACP Sola Akinyede.
The event later shifted to the Officers Mess at Onikan with big shots as AIG Tunji Alapini (rtd), AIG Charles Cole (rtd), and CP Olayinka Balogun (rtd) in attendance.
Also at the ceremonies was the Lagos State CP, Mr Fatai Owoseni; Mrs Grace Braithwaite, the wife of the late elder statesman, Dr Tunji Braithwaite; the Orlando Owoh celebrated Aunty Ayo, little known as ACP Ayodele Fadairo (rtd), ACP Yewande Longe and the DPO at Lagos Island, CSP Sade Kehinde.
When he spoke at Kam Salem, Sodipo was full of appreciation to everyone, including the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, who he described as his colleague, friend, and brother.
He, however, called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to properly fund the police.
“Police will perform better if well funded,” he said. “The well being and welfare of the personnel should be looked into.”
He also urged police officers to take the Force Order 278 into cognizance in their operations.
“If it is used appropriately, such officer would be commended, but if it is used wrongly, such officer would be punished or dealt with according to the law.”
There were toasts and testimonies as officers took turns to talk about Sodipo’s sterling qualities as they wined and dined at the Officers’ Mess.
Apart from chasing criminals, Sodipo had served as Team Manager, Police Machine Team; member, Federal Government Delegation to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil; Chairman, Technical Committee for 2016 Police Games in Abuja, and the Chairman, Police Athletic Association.
He had received several awards and commendations, including the IGP’s commendations for outstanding performances.
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