By Folorusho Atta
As he attains the sexagenarian age tomorrow, Saturday, October 18, 2025, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Ishola Olarewaju Olawale, the immediate past Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, will be officially pulled out of service.
Olawale, who has spent 33 years in the Nigerian Police Force, is widely reputed for changing the narrative of policing and crime-fighting strategies through professionalism, courage, and innovation.
Known for his uncompromising leadership and devotion to duty, Olawale, who joined the Force in 1992, was reportedly redeployed from the Lagos State Police Command after refusing to compromise his official stance.
A police source disclosed to securitynewsalert.com that Olawale, one of the few police chiefs distinguished for excellence as a Mobile Police (MOPOL) operative, has served in several departments and capacities across the Force during his more than three decades of dedicated service to Nigeria.
In his honour, the Nigeria Police Force will, at 9:am tomorrow, hold a ceremonial pull-out at the Premier Police College, Ikeja, Lagos. The event is expected to be graced by colleagues, retirees, family members, friends, and admirers.
According to a source, a private celebration marking both his 60th birthday and retirement will also take place tomorrow at the Iceland Event Centre, near Gowon Police Station, Moshalashi, along Ipaja Road, Egbeda.
Olawale, as Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, may have been brief, but it was remarkably impactful. His leadership redefined policing in Nigeria’s commercial capital through professionalism, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to public safety.
As the 40th Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Olawale brought with him more than three decades of experience in the Nigeria Police Force.
A graduate of Geography and holder of a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Ibadan, he combined intellectual depth with strategic thinking in law enforcement.
From his first day in office, Olawale showed foresight and decisiveness. At his inaugural press briefing, where he paraded 98 suspected criminals, he announced a partnership with road transport unions to tackle “one-chance” robberies. He insisted that all commercial buses must henceforth be tagged and identifiable, a bold, proactive move aimed at improving commuter safety.
True to his words, his command swiftly recorded breakthroughs, arresting suspects involved in armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, and drug trafficking.
Several firearms, ammunition, narcotics, stolen goods, $402 in cash, and 39 bags of stolen rice were recovered, clear evidence of his resolve to be “fair and firm” in enforcing the law.
A strong advocate of community policing, Olawale built bridges between the police and the public, fostering collaboration with civil society groups, transport unions, and community leaders. His inclusive, people-centred approach became a model for sustainable security in Lagos.
Olawale joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1992 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent after graduating from the Police Academy, Wudil, Kano.
Over the years, he distinguished himself in operational and leadership roles. He served as Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in several states and no fewer than seven divisions in Lagos, including 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. Upon his promotion to Deputy Commissioner of Police, he was appointed DCP Operations, Zone 2 Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos, before becoming Commissioner of Police at the Port Authority Police Command (Western Ports).
A seasoned officer and instructor, Olawale lectured at the Detective College, Enugu; the Nigeria Police Academy, Kano; and the Police Staff College, Jos.
He also attended top leadership courses at the National Institute of Police Studies, Abuja, and the Police Staff College, Jos.
Married and blessed with children, AIG Olawale is widely respected as a cerebral, disciplined, and tactically sound officer.
His calm yet firm handling of volatile situations, such as the OPC-related unrest in Idi Araba and Abule Egba, earned him the reputation of a leader who puts people first.
Olawale’s legacy in Lagos stands as one of reform, discipline, and community partnership, a people-centric “super cop” whose service continues to inspire a new generation of officers in the Nigeria Police Force.
