Governor Umo Eno has conveyed the heartfelt condolences of the government and people of Akwa Ibom state following the sudden and tragic loss of the state's Commissioner of Police, Waheed Ayilara.
Ayilara died in the early hours of Thursday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, after undergoing a surgical procedure and has since been buried according to Islamic rite.
In a message of condolence released by his Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh, Governor Eno eulogised the late Commissioner of Police as “one of the finest operational officers, a genial and fine gentleman who epitomized the finest ideals of the Nigerian Police Force.
“He served our dear state as the Police Commissioner until his sad passing, where he distinguished himself as a crime-buster of no mean repute.
"The late Commissioner of Police was deeply involved with the fabric of our dear state, having served his mandatory National Youth Service here and later came back as the Unit Commander of Police Mobile Unit 26.
“He was a critical member of our state security architecture and alongside other sister security agencies worked hard to position our state as one of the safest, most secure, and serene places to live, work, and invest. He will be deeply missed.
“We extend our deepest condolences to his family, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, NPM, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, and indeed the entire members of the Akwa Ibom State security community.
“May his soul rest in perfect peace.”
Ayilara was deployed to Akwa Ibom State in February 2024 as the 32nd CP, took over from Olatoye Durosinmi, who was elevated to AIG Zone 2, Lagos.
The late police boss was enlisted into the Force as Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police on May 18, 1992, and served in various capacities, including being Assistant Commissioner of Police, Police Mobile Force Office – FHQ Abuja.
He served as Deputy Commissioner of Police Operations, Oyo State Command, Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal and Investigations Department, Panti, Lagos, amongst others.
Before his present appointment, he was acting Commissioner of Police, Lagos State.
He held a law degree (LL.B.) (Hons) from the University of Ibadan, a BL from the Nigeria Law School, Lagos, and a Master of Law (LLM) from the University of Lagos.
