Barely few weeks after his promotion as Assistant Inspector General of Police, Hakeem Odumosu has retired from the police force, taking a bow out of service at a ceremony held at the Police Training Ground in Ikeja, Lagos State.
Penpushing reports that, Odumosu who was immediate past Commissioner of Police Lagos State before his elevation, on Tuesday, inspected the final parade as a police officer, a programme organized by the Lagos State Government in his honour.
The former police boss enlisted in the police on March 3, 1990 and served for 32 years, left service after which the statutory retirement age set in, and in a colourful manner took a bow at the Pull-out Parade and Valedictory Ceremony.
Penpushing further reports that, the event was attended by members of the State Executive Council; representative of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP); former Inspector General of Police Musiliu Smith; Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu; wife of the Minister of Works and Housing, Abimbola Fashola; Commissioners of Police from Southwest states; Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials; and family members of the retiring officer.
The retired police chief in his valedictory speech, expressed joy that he was not booted out of office out of tiredness, explaining that, rather he left to experience civil life, having attained the mandatory retirement age.
Penpushing also reports that, Odumosu, accompanied by his wife, Nafisat, pointed out that his decision to join the police was not out of joblessness but his desire to serve his fatherland after his first degree in Arts at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, Kaduna State.
The retiree who also holds a Law degree, two Master’s degrees and Diploma certificates, advised young officers to embrace discipline, which he described as the bedrock of the police force”.
“I want to make it known that, despite challenges I faced in the course of my career, I have no regret joining the Force. The police properly groomed me to become a professional law enforcement officer that can stand tall among his peers anywhere in the world’, he added.
“As Lagos RRS Commander, the job toughened me to frontally confront daredevil armed criminals whose passion was robbing banks. Since then, bank robbery incidents in Lagos nosedived. Today, I am proud to say that there was no single bank robbery throughout my tenure as Commissioner of Police in Lagos’.
“It is time for me to quit the state and continue my journey into civil life. I have played my role and delivered my line. I am retiring today, but I am not tired. Nigeria Police Force will continue to be my constituency.”
Penpushing further reports that, the retired Assistant Inspector General of Police popularly called ‘Tango One’ used the opportunity to thank those he stood by him throughout his police career
The Governor of Lagos State Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in his remarks affirmed that Odumosu served Lagos and the country with every mental and physical strength he is endowed with, adding that it was time for him to drop off the uniform for a post-service life.
Penpushing also reports that, Sanwo-Olu pointed out that the former Lagos Commissioner of Police had a deep knowledge of the nooks and crannies of the State, and commended him for his skill in flushing out criminals.
The Governor admitted that Odumosu attended to his constitutional duties with vigour, courage and without giving excuses, adding that he led officers serving in the State’s Police Command from the front throughout his tenure as Commissioner
“Hakeem Odumosu’s appointment in November 2019 as Commissioner of Police in Lagos came with much expectation, as it was believed that his arrival would bring the long-sought succour which many Lagosians yearned given the security challenges facing the State thent, he emphasised.
‘These expectations came as a result of his very deep knowledge and understanding of what security architecture of Lagos should be.Tango One, as we all call him, came with wealth of experience, and new approaches to pursue effective policing. Those approaches led to an improvement in security of lives and property in Lagos.
“He came, he saw and he is bequeathing a well-informed and motivated police command to officers serving in Lagos. He discharged his duties with diligence and emerged as outstanding police officer. I am happy to be at this occasion, which is a deserving farewell to AIG Hakeem Odumosu out of the Nigeria Police Force,SanwopOlu said”
Penpushing reports that, the Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) in charge of South-West operations, Johnson Kokumo, in his remarks noted that Odumosu, throughout his years of service, did not fit into the description of “mercantile police officer” – term used to portray unethical officers.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police who represented the Inspector General of Police Usman Baba, at the ceremony added that Odumosu was leaving a legacy of diligence, hard work and strictness in the force
Penpushing further reports that, Chairman of Police Service Commission (PSC), Musiliu Smith in his own contributions, said it was time for Odumosu to take a rest after an accomplishing career in the police and settle down as a family man.
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