28/07/2026
PRESS RELEASE:
NIGERIA POLICE ACADEMY HONOURS RETIRING 24TH COMMANDANT, AIG PATRICK A. ATAYERO, MSc(UK), MBA(USA), psc, mspsp, WITH PULLING-OUT PARADE.
It was an incredibly emotional and unforgettable day at the Nigeria Police Academy in Wudil as the family of AIG PATRICK A. ATAYERO MSc(UK), MBA(USA), psc, mspsp, entire community, guest, and well wisher, came together to say a heartfelt farewell to its 24th Commandant, AIG Patrick A. Atayero MSc(UK), MBA(USA), psc, mspsp today.
The celebration felt deeply personal, falling exactly on his 60th birthday, the milestone marking his official retirement from the NPF.
The academy grounds were bursting with pride, color, and energy. Cadets put on a spectacular, precise parade display that brought cheers from an audience packed with top military leaders, government dignitaries, and academic staff. Everyone gathered to honor a leader who spent his tenure transforming the campus, upgrading infrastructure, and inspiring deep discipline. Showing the strong bond between the academy and the state, Kano State Governor Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf was warmly represented by his Special Adviser on Community Policing, Hajiya Ambassador (Dr.) BARR Maimuna Umar Sheriff.
In his valedictory speech, his words were filled with deep emotion as he looked back on his career and thanked almighty God for his infinite mercy/grace, and the people who made his journey possible.
Reflecting on his years of service, AIG Atayero shared:"My heart is full of gratitude for what has been an incredible, deeply rewarding journey of leadership, duty, and service to our great country. I want to extend my deepest, most sincere appreciation to our Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his inspiring leadership and the impactful reforms bringing 'Renewed Hope' to the Nigeria Police Force. Serving under your administration has been the absolute honor of my career.
To my Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu psc(+), NPM, thank you, Sir, for your brilliant guidance, your focus on true professionalism, and for trusting me with the enormous responsibility of running this prestigious academy. Your personal support made all the difference.
A very special thank you goes to our wonderful host, the Executive Governor of Kano state, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, for his warm hospitality, constant partnership, and for making Kano such a peaceful home for the Academy.
I am also profoundly grateful to the Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, CON, fcna, fcpa, fimcn, and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (Rtd), mni, NPM, both for championing the fair, merit-based standards that keep pushing our force forward.
My immense thanks go out to our National Assembly committee chairmen—Senator Abdulhamid Ahmed Mallam-Madori, Hon. Makki Abubakar Yalleman, and Hon. Barrister Aliyu Boya Wakili—for always standing by us and believing in our police institutions.
To the Force Management Team, thank you for the seamless teamwork.
I also want to specially recognize and appreciate the outstanding support and hospitality of our immediate local government leaders: the Executive Chairman of Wudil, Hon. Abba Muhammad Tukur (Talban Makaman Kano), as well as the Executive Chairmen of Warawa and Dawakin Kudu Local Government Areas. Thank you for your constant collaboration and for ensuring our host communities remain peaceful and supportive partners to the Academy.
I am equally thankful for the spiritual atmosphere provided by Pastor Salem Maigari of the Living Faith Church, whose prayers have been a shield for us.
My deep respect and gratitude go to all the Royal Fathers present today; your royal blessings and wisdom have anchored our work in the community. I also highly appreciate the National Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) for bridging the gap between the police and the public, and the Ijesha Progressive Union for their incredible community support and solidarity.
To my dear course mates—we started this journey decades ago as eager young patriots with big dreams. Thank you for a lifetime of brotherhood, shared sacrifices, and an unbreakable bond that held us together through every high and low.
To the incredible staff of the Nigeria Police Academy, both in the professional training wing and the academic Senate, you are the real engine of this citadel. Your tireless dedication, intellectual guidance, and daily sacrifices shape the character of the next generation of police leaders, and I am incredibly proud of everything we achieved together.
To my beloved family, thank you for being my rock, my anchor, and my greatest source of strength. Through every relocation, every long hour, and every sacrifice demanded by this uniform, your unconditional love, prayers, and patience kept me standing. This milestone is as much yours as it is mine.
Finally, to my dedicated colleagues, friends, and all other well-wishers whose prayers and encouragement kept me going, thank you from the bottom of my heart. As I step into this next peaceful and purposeful chapter of my life, I take with me beautiful memories, proud milestones, and lifelong friendships."He closed his farewell with a simple, powerful prayer: "May the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Police Academy continue to thrive, succeed, and grow from strength to strength. Thank you all so very much, and may God bless you.
The day ended with a time-honored police tradition. Waving and smiling amidst a sea of warm applause, and cheers, the newly retired AIG was physically pulled out of the academy gates in a ceremonial vehicle by senior officers.
DSP UMAR MUSA ISAH
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FOR: COMMANDANT
NIGERIA POLICE ACADEMY
WUDIL- KANO STATE.
DATE: 27th JULY, 2026.
