Aderemi Adeoye, Commissioner of Police in Anambra, has bowed out of the force after 35 years of meritorious service to the country.

Mr Adeoye pulled out at a colourful ceremony held at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, on Saturday but will hand over to a successor on May 1, 2024.

In his speech, the outgoing commissioner of police thanked the Police Force and Nigeria for giving him the opportunity to serve and also for investing in him both at home and abroad while in service.

Mr Adeoye said in the course of service, he served in Niger Delta, where he fought militancy for five years, led the police mobile force in Maiduguri in the fight against Boko Haram for two and half years and also led a combined force against the proscribed IPOB in the five south-east states as a deputy commissioner of police.

According to him, it is to the glory of God that none of these direct confrontations with guns and bombs left a scar on me.

“I thank Nigeria and the police for investing in me and giving me the opportunity to serve,” he said.

Mr Adeoye expressed gratitude to the people of Anambra for their hospitality and love, describing the state as his second home.

He said the less than 2 per cent of the population who took to criminality could not be used to define the people of Anambra as they were hardworking and positive-minded people who did not indulge in idling away their time.

“It has been a unique privilege serving Anambra, serving as CP Anambra as the coronation of my career.

“Anambra people are warm and hospitable, kind and generous; I can never open my mouth to speak ill of Anambra; if I do, God will judge me.

“To the Nigeria Police, Anambra Command, I salute you, my officers are gallant.

“I thank my colleagues in sister security agencies, all these I have said were achieved with their cooperation, I owe this honour to them all,” he said.

In his remark, Governor Chukwuma Soludo said Mr Adeoye came to Anambra and played his role gallantly.

Mr Soludo, who was represented by his deputy, Onyekachukwu Ibezim, said Mr Adeoye led the onslaught as his administration took the war to the insurgents in their camps.

He said the CP came at a time when his administration was tackling the height of insecurity with one-third of the state under the captivity of insurgents.

“If it were in our hands, we would say, let this continue, but there is always a time to come and a time to go.

“For your contributions to the state, a street has been named after you by stakeholders with many awards.

“You are no longer a visitor to Anambra; you are now a citizen,” he said.

Traditional rulers, captains of industry, Yoruba community, Hausa community, women groups and many others took turns to celebrate Mr Adeoye in various ways; he touched their lives in the course of service at a grandiose reception held at the International Convention Centre.

A book, entitled, “X-ray of CP Aderemi Adeoye’s Leadership Principle, Eulogy To A Crime Fighter”, written by Sgt Chioma Obi” was unveiled at the event.