By Omowumi Omotosho
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has promoted the Commissioner of Police for Kwara State, Olaiya Victor Mobolaji, to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG).
Olaiya is widely regarded as one of the best Commissioners of Police in the history of Kwara State. Since assuming office in September 2023, he has implemented strategic measures to combat prevalent crimes in Kwara State.
One of the most shocking cases solved under his watch recently, was the gruesome murder of a female graduate of the Kwara State College of Education, Hafsoh Lawal. The police arrested Abdulrahman Bello, who confessed to killing and dismembering the victim. Bello, along with four other suspects, was remanded by a Magistrate’s Court in Ilorin.
Olaiya’s tenure also saw the rescue of 13 kidnapped victims who were abducted while traveling to a wedding in Kogi State.
Another high-profile case involved the murder of 21-year-old Mojisola Awesu, a student of the Kwara State College of Health Technology. The police arrested seven individuals in connection with the crime, including the primary suspect’s parents and hotel staff who attempted to conceal evidence.
His leadership also led to a major crackdown on violent cult activities, resulting in the arrest of gang members responsible for the murder of hotelier Anthony Kayode Balogun. The crime, linked to a revenge attack by a secret cult, resulted in multiple arrests and the recovery of dangerous weapons.
In a statement released on Monday, the Police Service Commission’s spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, confirmed that several senior officers had also been elevated to the rank of AIG.
Among those promoted are Musibau Ajani, CP Admin, FCID; Aliyu Musa, CP Katsina State Command; Patrick Atayero, former CP in charge of Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD), Force Headquarters; and Gyogon Augustine Grimah, CP Cross River State Command. Others who received the AIG rank include Chukwudi Ariekpere, CP Taraba State Command; Abubakar Aliyu, CP FOM, Force Headquarters; Olalolu Adegbite, CP Interpol, FCID; Godwin Iguh Eze, CP SEB, FCID Annex Lagos; and Disu Olatunji Rilwan, CP Federal Capital Territory.
The commission also approved the promotion of multiple Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCP) to the rank of Commissioner of Police (CP). Among those elevated were Ojo Adekimi, DCP Operations, Kwara State Command; Olabode Ojajuni, DCP Ogun State CID; and Adewale Ajao, DCP Zone-2 CID, Lagos. Other promoted DCPs included T. Usman Tahir, DCP R&P, Force Headquarters; Sunday J.A. Okoebor, DCP Admin and Finance, Force Headquarters; and Ayodeji Faniyan, DCP Zonal CID, Zone 5, Benin.
In addition to these promotions, the commission elevated 13 Superintendents of Police (SP) and 14 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP) to their next respective ranks. Ani noted that all promoted officers underwent rigorous screening, including examinations and interactive interviews, before their promotions were approved.
