The immediate past Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Aderemi Adeoye, has been extolled by his kinsmen in the Yoruba community in the state for pulling out of service while the ovation was still very loud.
The people gathered at BON Hotel in Awka to celebrate Adeoye, one of their illustrious sons, who just retired from the Nigeria Police Force after 35 years of meritorious service.
Leader of Yoruba Community in Awka, Oba Abdulrasak Olahan, eulogized Adeoye for making the entire Yoruba nation proud with patriotic service to fatherland offered in enviable humility. “I thank God, who started with you 35 years ago and ended up with you. Your pull out ceremony made us all proud as sons of Oduduwa. Your work and achievements in Anambra will speak on for several years to come.
“You rendered patriotic service to the nation with humility. It is a lesson for all us who are here,” Oba Olahan concluded.
The Presidents-General of Yoruba communities in Awka and Nnewi were also on hand to share their opinions about the man of the moment, retired CP Aderemi Adeoye. “You inherited a huge security challenge which your predecessor started fighting. But, you added impetus to the fight. You took the battle to the criminals in their hideouts and today, we have relative peace across the state,” Mr Gabriel Adejumo, the PG Nnewi Yoruba community submitted.
His counterpart in Awka, Mr Ademola Okeleye, advised those in attendance to take a cue from the life and career of Adeoye, who despite the risky nature of his profession served meritoriously and rose to the pinnacle of his career.
“His life is an embodiment of morals for all of us. He teaches us that whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well. He exemplifies humility. Despite is high rank the force, he comes down to our level anytime we interact with him.
Speaking on behalf of the Yoruba staff of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, the chairman, Dr Taiwo Bello, expressed optimism about the future prospects of CP Adeoye, whom he noted is still at advantage age-wise.
“I am certain we shall continue to see and be of assistance to each other. We cannot forget your impact in our midst while your stay in Anambra lasted. We are aware of those who come and go without identifying with their people. We pray the Almighty God to bless and secure your future”.
Responding, the elated former Commissioner of Police, who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Bolanle Adeoye, appreciated his tribesmen for putting the event together and for their glowing remarks about him. “I am feeling emotional now. do not think I merit the sacrifice of all of you leaving your commitments to be here. I thank our royal father, the pastor, the Imam, the PGs and others who have said one thing or the other about me.
CP Adeoye recounted how divine orchestration redirected him to join the police force. “Two weeks after my youth service, I joined the police as a constable because I didn’t have connection. I tried to join the Ogun State Teaching Service Commission as a teacher. But, I was told the procedures will take six months.
“So, waiting at home for six months for outcomes of the interviews and possibly employment letters was too much for me because I was already sending money home from my N120 allowance to my mother and siblings.
“My father died when I was in form 1 in secondary school. So, my mother labored to train the six of us. during my NYSC, she had to cook rice and beans and sell for them to survive. So, when it was announced on the radio at about 10pm that day that police will be recruiting at Eleweran the next day, I put on my NYSC kit and went for the interview.
The retired elegant police officer said he had no regret over his decision to join the force as he has seen the hands of God since his enlistment. “From beginning to the end, divine favour and grace have followed me. Within two years, I rose from constable to ASP. When I was promoted to ASP, I was brought to Anambra State in 1991, the year the state was created. I served here for 10 years.
He was equally full of gratitude to God who despite dangerous assignments preserved him throughout his career journey without any scar on his body. “I have served in the most dangerous places in this country. I was in the Niger Delta for 5 years. We stopped the inflow of weapons into creeks after we smashed several gangs. It was after that the militants accepted amnesty”.
Once peace returned to Niger Delta, Boko Haram started in Maiduguri. I was moved there for two and half years as a sector commander in the military Joint Task Force. I was the only police officers among ten military officers who are sector commanders. On three occasions, we foiled car suicide bombing attempts on the police headquarters”.
Then I was moved from that sector 7 to sector 6 to protect JTF headquarters, Airforce Base, International Airport, Artillery Barracks and other places. We drove Boko Haram out of Maiduguri. It was after then they relocated to Sambisa Forest. One year after, I was still having nightmares of bomb explosions and other incidents.
After that I was sent to IG’s office in Lagos before I went to African Union Commission in Addis Ababa where I stayed for five years and I recovered physically, mentally and emotionally. Some months ago, I was posted to Anambra State. I thank God for preserving me.
Special prayers were offered for the retired top police officer by Christian and muslim clerics for prosperous retirement.
