It was indeed a colourful pullout ceremony at the Police College Ikeja, Lagos on Wednesday when 14 senior police officers, officially ended their 35 years career in the Nigeria Police Force.

Among the outstanding retired officers was a woman, AIG  Vivian Okenedo, who was the first female Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Police command.

The senior police officers described as the last batch of the first set of graduates from the Nigeria Police Academy, POLAC Wudil in  Kano State,  were enlisted into the Nigeria Police on  March 15, 1988, as course 15.

Ipledge2nigeria.net learned that  198 persons began their Police training  35 years ago, but 178 of them completed the course.  Out of this number, only 14 of them were privileged to witness the Pull-Out ceremony yesterday.

Speaking at the Pull-Out Parade, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Alkali Baba, described the set as one which had produced officers who contributed greatly to the Nigeria Police Force in particular and the nation at large”.

The IGP who Deputy Inspector-General of Police Adeyinka Adeleke represented, lauded the officers for serving the nation meritoriously for 35 years.

He said, “It is worthy of note to state that the course has produced the 21st indigenous Inspector General of Police, DIGs, AIGs, and several Commissioners of Police with great virtues the  force will greatly miss, considering their wealth of experience and exemplary leadership qualities which is required in combating the nation’s security  challenges.”

“Having served the nation in various capacities and different International assignments where most of them displayed a high level of competence and  also won huge accolades, it is therefore imperative to celebrate them colourfully.”

 “To mark the force’s appreciation of their selfless service to the country, your pull out of the force today is coming at a time when experience is needed for the growth and development of the nation and humanity at large,” he stated.

Speaking on behalf of his coursemates and celebrants, DIG  Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, disclosed that ‘ 198 of us commenced police training on  March 15, 1988. But  178 completed the training. Today we are 15 being pulled out of service”.

Kokomo who was Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of South West zone, DIG Babatunde Kokumo, explained the rationale behind the reduction in the number of officers being pulled out: “Many of them had retired before now, while many were called to glory long before they reached retirement age”.

While appreciating God for preserving his life and his colleagues’ to witness the Pull Out Parade, Kokumo attributed love and passion for the Police professional as the motivation that kept them moving until retirement.

He said, “the love and passion we have for the job were the driving forces that kept us going.  On several occasions, we will leave for work and not know when we will return. This became a pattern and our lovely family grew accustomed to it.

“ It was also impossible to predict where we would be deployed next. The job is essentially nomadic as a result, the family belongings were always kept in a condition that allowed for such frequent movement without being noticed.”

The Course 15 retired officers who were clad in the Police ceremonial dress included: AIG Isaac Akinmoyede, AIG Olatunji Akingbola, AIG Andrew Amengheme, AIG Amaechi Elumelu, AIG Ngozi Vivian Onadeko, AIG Eboka Friday, AIG Adesina Soyemi, AIG Ashafa Adekunle, AIG Edward Egbuka, AIG Olawale Olokode, AIG Abutu Yaro, CP Adetokunbo Owolabi, and CP Selem Amachree.

The highlight of the pulling-out ceremony was the match pass by rank and files dressed in their ceremonial black and red uniform. Their organised parade display around the field was indeed exceptional.

Other retired senior officers like AIG Odumosu, CP Owoseni Fatai, and others were at the event to welcome the newly retired to the elders club.