Introduction
Waheed Ayilara was a renowned Nigerian police officer who served as the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State. Unfortunately, his life was cut short at the young age of 68 after battling prostate cancer. This blog post aims to provide an in-depth look at Waheed Ayilara’s life and career, from his upbringing and education to his various roles in the police force and untimely death.
Early Life and Education
Waheed Ayilara was born on August 23, 1950 in Offa, Kwara State. He attended Offa Grammar School for his primary and secondary education. After obtaining his West African School Certificate, Ayilara gained admission to study at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.
Police Career
Upon graduation, Ayilara joined the Nigeria Police Force in May 1992 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police. He worked diligently and rose through the ranks over the years, holding various leadership positions. Some of the key roles in his police career include:
Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Lagos
In this role, Ayilara oversaw criminal investigations in Lagos State. The SCID department is responsible for investigating serious crimes like homicides, kidnappings, armed robberies etc.
Acting Commissioner of Police, Lagos State
In 2018, Ayilara was appointed the Acting Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, taking temporary charge of the entire police command in this economically important state.
Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State
His last position before passing was as the substantive Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, a role he assumed in 2019. In this capacity, he was responsible for all police operations and activities in the state.
Personal Life
Waheed Ayilara was married with children. However, details about his family are not publicly available due to the private nature of his personal affairs. What is known is that he was a dedicated officer devoted to serving the Nigeria Police Force and protecting citizens.
Battle with Cancer
In his late 60s, Ayilara was diagnosed with prostate cancer, a disease that primarily affects older men. In August 2019, he underwent surgery at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) to remove his prostate gland and treat the cancer.
Untimely Death
Sadly, hours after undergoing a successful prostate cancer surgery, Ayilara’s condition took a turn for the worse in the early hours of August 29, 2019. Despite the best efforts of the medical team at LUTH, the top police officer passed away at the hospital in Ikeja, Lagos State.
Reaction and Tributes
The news of Ayilara’s sudden death came as a big shock, owing to his recent appointment as Akwa Ibom CP and the assumption that the surgery had been successful. The Inspector General of Police and government of Akwa Ibom State were among those who paid glowing tributes, mourning the loss of an illustrious officer.
Ayilara was given a befitting burial ceremony attended by dignitaries and people from all walks of life. He was remembered as a hardworking, dedicated and exemplary police officer who served the force and Nigeria with committment.
Legacy
Though his life and career were cut short by cancer, Ayilara left behind a strong legacy of service, excellence and integrity in the Nigeria Police Force. Throughout his decades of policing different states, he remained committed to protecting citizens and tackling security challenges professionally.
Ayilara inspired many with his rise from the ranks all the way to the position of Commissioner of Police. He proved that with dedication and hard work, one’s dreams can be achieved regardless of humble beginnings. Even in death, his legacy will continue to motivate upcomingpolice officers to give their best in service of the nation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this post has provided a detailed look at the biography and career of Waheed Ayilara, the late CP of Akwa Ibom State who died of prostate cancer complications in 2019. From his childhood to education and notable roles in the police, Ayilara distinguished himself as a diligent, hardworking and highly devoted officer. Though his life was cut short, his legacy of excellence and commitment to duty will live on.
Be the first to comment