AIG Ishola Olanrewaju Olawale Bows Out Gracefully After 33 Years of Dedicated Service

 

By Kayode Olopade

After an illustrious 33-year career defined by professionalism, courage, and integrity, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Ishola Olanrewaju Olawale — the immediate past Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command — will be ceremonially pulled out of the Nigeria Police Force tomorrow, Saturday, October 18, 2025, coinciding with his 60th birthday.

The ceremonial pull-out, billed for 9:00 a.m. at the Premier Police College, Ikeja, Lagos, will be attended by top police brass, retirees, family members, friends, and admirers who have followed his remarkable journey through the ranks.

A private celebration to mark his milestone birthday and retirement will later hold at the Iceland Event Centre, near Gowon Police Station, Moshalashi, along Ipaja Road, Egbeda.

AIG Ishola, who joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1992 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent, carved a niche for himself as one of the most disciplined, cerebral, and tactically sound officers of his generation.

Renowned for his uncompromising leadership style, he reportedly earned both respect and challenges for refusing to compromise professional standards during his tenure as Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command.

Despite his brief stint in Lagos, his impact was far-reaching. As the 40th Commissioner of Police in Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, Ishola redefined policing through innovation, strategic thinking, and a community-focused approach.

Upon assumption of office, Ishola hit the ground running. At his maiden press briefing, where he paraded 98 suspected criminals, he announced a new partnership with road transport unions to curb “one-chance” robberies.

He directed that all commercial buses in Lagos be tagged and made identifiable — a proactive step that improved commuter safety and strengthened accountability in the transport sector.

His tenure recorded several notable breakthroughs in crime fighting, with arrests of armed robbery suspects, kidnappers, cultists, and drug traffickers. The command also recovered various firearms, ammunition, narcotics, stolen goods, $402 in cash, and 39 bags of stolen rice — a testament to his resolve to enforce the law “firmly and fairly.”

A strong advocate of community policing, Ishola fostered collaboration between the police and the public, strengthening relationships with community leaders, transport unions, and civil society groups. His people-centred approach became a template for sustainable security management in Lagos.

Before his Lagos appointment, AIG Ishola had served with distinction in several capacities, including Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Gowon Estate, Ajah, Apapa, Ajao Estate, and Mushin — making him one of the most experienced DPOs in Lagos history.

He also served as Area Commander in Edo North (Auchi) and Area “L” Ilashe, Lagos; Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Zone 2 Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos; and Commissioner of Police, Port Authority Police Command (Western Ports).

A graduate of Geography and holder of a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Ibadan, AIG Ishola combined intellectual depth with practical policing experience.

He was also a seasoned instructor who taught at the Detective College, Enugu; the Nigeria Police Academy, Kano; and the Police Staff College, Jos. His training experience was further enriched by advanced leadership courses at the National Institute of Police Studies, Abuja, and the Police Staff College, Jos.

Throughout his career, AIG Ishola earned a reputation for calm yet firm leadership in the face of crisis. His deft handling of sensitive situations, including the OPC-related disturbances in Idi Araba and Abule Egba, underscored his commitment to peace and order without excessive force.

Married and blessed with children, AIG Ishola Olarewaju Olawale departs the Force as a revered officer whose name evokes respect among peers and subordinates alike. His legacy — built on discipline, community partnership, and reform-minded policing — remains an enduring inspiration to a new generation of officers.

As he bows out at 60, colleagues and admirers alike celebrate a man who served with honour, leaving behind a record of integrity, excellence, and selfless service to the Nigeria Police Force and the nation.