By Ebenezer Adurokiya
AFTER 35 years of service to his fatherland, a career marked by demanding security assignments, international peacekeeping missions, professional sacrifices and enduring relationships, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Joseph Ajikanbi, popularly known as Idowu Ogbe by his secondary school classmates, has bowed out of the Nigeria Police Force.
But while the uniform may have come off, the values that defined his years in service, courage, discipline, integrity, perseverance and an unwavering commitment to humanity, remain firmly woven into the story of a man whose influence extended beyond the policing profession.
Ajikanbi’s retirement was celebrated on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at the MOPOL 2 Parade Ground, Keffi Street, Obalende, Lagos, in an atmosphere of excitement, gratitude and fellowship.
The occasion attracted an impressive gathering of colleagues, traditional chiefs, senior police officers, clerics, secondary school classmates, members of the Ogori Descendants Union (ODU), Lagos Branch, and other well-wishers who came together to honour a man they described in glowing terms.
There was plenty to eat and drink, while the convivial atmosphere reflected the affection and respect he had cultivated over the years.
Among his secondary school classmates, who attended the event, were Mrs Vera Ejiwale (Nee Alabi), Mrs Remi Olofinlayi (Nee Jatto), Engr Idowu Peter Aliko and the compiler of this report, Pastor Ebenezer Adurokiya.
For those who knew Ajikanbi long before he wore the police uniform, the retirement celebration was not merely an occasion to mark the end of a career. It was an opportunity to celebrate a familiar character whose qualities of courage, resilience, generosity, focus and reliability had been evident from his formative years in Ogori.
A career defined by duty and demanding assignments
Ajikanbi’s professional journey began after his training at the Police Training School, Ilorin. His first posting was to Kwara State, from where his policing career developed into a remarkable journey across different locations, specialised assignments and international operations.
Over the years, he served in various capacities, steadily acquiring experience and shouldering responsibilities in the discharge of his duties.
A significant part of his career was spent in the Mobile Police Force, where the demands of discipline, operational readiness, courage and teamwork are particularly pronounced.
He served as Provost and Second-in-Command, positions that required organisational ability, discipline and the capacity to coordinate personnel in challenging circumstances.
His career also took him to locations including Gombe and Minna, as well as other special-duty environments. Among the notable assignments was a deployment to Gwoza, where the nature of security operations demanded vigilance, courage and professional commitment.
Not content with the experience already acquired, Ajikanbi underwent further specialised training to strengthen his professional capacity.
His training engagements included programmes in Maiduguri and specialised security training involving Israeli instructors in Ilorin. He also obtained certification following training involving a senior security official from the United States.
These experiences broadened his professional exposure and equipped him with additional skills for the complexities of policing.
Beyond Nigeria: Service on international peacekeeping missions
One of the notable dimensions of Ajikanbi’s career was his participation in international peacekeeping operations, through which he contributed to Nigeria’s involvement in global efforts to promote peace and security.
His international assignments included missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Liberia.
During his Congo mission, he served in an armament-related capacity, with responsibilities involving the management of arms and ammunition. Such an assignment demanded a high level of accountability, precision and discipline in handling sensitive equipment.
In Liberia, he performed administrative responsibilities relating to the posting and deployment of personnel.
The two assignments exposed him to different operational environments and working relationships, requiring adaptability, professionalism and an understanding of the responsibilities associated with international security operations.
Back home, his involvement in special task forces and security operations also brought him recognition.
Among the honours associated with his service was an award from the Lagos State Government under the administration of former Governor Babatunde Fashola, following successful efforts connected with the rescue of kidnapped persons in the state. A yet-to-be-verified report says the governorship award has yet to reach the recipient.
He also received recognition from the Lagos State Commissioner of Police.
While such commendations are significant milestones in an officer’s career, they also underscore the importance of collective effort in security operations, where success often depends on teamwork, trust and the dedication of personnel working towards a common objective.
The promotion question: A career beyond perceived setbacks
For all the years of service and professional accomplishments, Ajikanbi’s journey was not without its disappointments.
He was said to have suffered repeated setbacks in promotion, which he and those familiar with his career regarded as unjust.
Yet, despite the perceived setbacks, he continued to serve until completing 35 years in the Force.
His retirement, therefore, represents more than the completion of the statutory years of service. It also provides an opportunity to reflect on the resilience required to remain committed to an institution despite personal disappointments.
Rather than allow such experiences to define his entire career, Ajikanbi’s retirement celebration offered a broader picture of a man whose professional journey included specialised training, international deployments, leadership responsibilities and recognition for operational contributions.
A covenant of service beyond the uniform
Perhaps one of the most revealing aspects of Ajikanbi’s personality emerged not from the testimonies of his police colleagues but from accounts of his commitment to the church and the people around him.
Earlier on the day of his retirement celebration, a thanksgiving service was held in his honour at Christ Apostolic Church (English Assembly), Covenant Family, 22 Olowu Street, Ebute-Elefun, Lagos Island.
The service, led by the host pastor, Pastor Olúwaṣeun Ladeloye, coincided with the 10th anniversary and thanksgiving celebration of the assembly.
The church auditorium was filled, with a considerable number of young people in attendance. A special opportunity was given to a family member of the celebrant and two church members to testify to his character and contributions.
One of the most compelling testimonies came from Mrs Oluyemisi Feyisara Olulana, an elderly woman of God in the congregation.
Recounting her experience with Ajikanbi during research she was conducting on the church, she described him as a man whose life exemplified what she termed a ‘covenant of service’.
According to her, Ajikanbi was always willing to listen, particularly whenever discussions centred on the growth and development of the church.
She recalled his commitment during his tenure as church secretary, noting that he consistently gave his best and approached responsibilities with uncommon dedication.
Olulana also highlighted his commitment to bringing young people into the church, particularly students of Oceanography.
She recalled that Ajikanbi could drive to their school three or four times to bring students to church and subsequently return them to their school.
For her, such commitment went beyond ordinary participation in church activities.
She wondered why God would not bless a man who had consistently given himself to the service of others, adding that his retirement after 35 years of service was worthy of celebration.
Her testimony painted the picture of a man whose understanding of service was not restricted to his professional obligations.
A dependable friend whose generosity speaks
Another glowing account came from Pastor Diran Olufowobi, one of the officiating ministers at the thanksgiving service.
Olufowobi recalled an incident surrounding his 60th birthday, which he had not planned to celebrate.
He explained that, although he had made no prior arrangements or informed anyone about his intention to mark the occasion, the church announced his birthday during the preceding Sunday service.
To his surprise, when the birthday arrived, Ajikanbi contacted him and offered to arrange for people to collect everything required for the celebration, including food and drinks.
The pastor also recalled Ajikanbi’s role in supervising the fabrication of chairs for the church at Sango Ota.
According to him, the retired police officer personally monitored the production process and ensured that the chairs were delivered to the church.
Describing him as consistent, honest and dependable, Olufowobi’s testimony further reinforced the picture of a man who took personal responsibility for the success of assignments entrusted to him.
His generosity, in this regard, was not simply about giving material things but also about investing time, attention and personal effort in the welfare of others.
From Ogori roots: A character that stood the test of time
For Mrs Vera Ejiwale, a secondary school classmate and Head Girl, Ajikanbi’s admirable qualities were not products of his years in the police.
She traced his religious disposition and dependable character to their formative years in Ogori, where they grew up together in the Catholic Church.
Recalling his early involvement in church activities, she described him as a cupbearer and someone who had always been committed to the things of God.
She identified consistency, reliability, honesty and trustworthiness as qualities that had remained part of his personality over the years.
Her testimony was particularly significant because it offered a glimpse into the man behind the professional title, suggesting that the values celebrated at his retirement were not newly acquired attributes but qualities cultivated from childhood.
For classmates who witnessed his early development, the occasion was a reunion with a familiar personality whose character had endured the passage of time.
The man behind the uniform: A family man’s enduring legacy
Beyond the demands of policing, Ajikanbi’s greatest personal accomplishment may well be the family he has nurtured.
He is married and blessed with three children – one son and two daughters – all of whom have graduated from university.
His career inevitably involved long working hours, difficult assignments, postings away from home and the uncertainties associated with security operations.
Yet, according to tributes contained in the retirement programme, he remained committed to his responsibilities as a husband and father.
His wife, who was conspicuously absent from the ceremony alongside the children due to some undisclosed indisposition, paid an emotional tribute to her husband.
She expressed pride in his 35 years of dedication, acknowledging the sacrifices that often took him away from home and the difficult moments that accompanied his profession.
She wrote that she had witnessed the long days, challenges and determination behind the uniform, adding that while others might not have seen those sacrifices, she had experienced them firsthand.
Describing him as a man who had not merely built a career but also a legacy, she appreciated his commitment to providing for the family and serving the country.
She prayed that retirement would usher in peace, happiness, good health and fulfilment, while providing more opportunities for companionship and the creation of beautiful family memories.
His children, Emmanuel, Omolara, Peace and Precious, also expressed gratitude for his sacrifices and commitment to their welfare.
In their separate messages, they described him as a selfless father who consistently put the needs of others before his own.
They prayed for God’s preservation, good health, long life, abundance of blessings and the opportunity for him to enjoy the fruits of his labour.
The educational accomplishments of his children stand as one of the enduring testimonies to his commitment to family life, demonstrating that his years of labour extended beyond professional advancement to securing a meaningful future for his offspring.
An honourable exit and the beginning of a new chapter
The retirement of ASP Joseph Ajikanbi is, in many respects, a celebration of service in its broader meaning.
From his early years in Ogori to his professional training in Ilorin, from his operational assignments across Nigeria to international peacekeeping missions in Congo and Liberia, his 35-year journey reflects a life spent navigating responsibilities that demanded courage, discipline and adaptability.
Yet, perhaps the most remarkable feature of his story is the consistency with which those who encountered him in different spheres of life have described his character.
His classmates remember a dependable childhood friend. Church members recall a committed servant of God. Pastors testify to his generosity and reliability. His family celebrates a devoted husband and father, while his professional colleagues recognise a fellow officer who completed 35 years in the service of his country.
These testimonies, taken together, provide a fuller picture of the man than any rank or uniform could convey.
At the Mopol Arena where the celebration held, members of the ODU performed the Iyaresen Dance otherwise known as Ogengene’Sen. They entertained and thrilled the gathering with local vibes laced with prayers and well wishes. ASP Ajikanbi, who danced frenetically to the vibes, was described as a supportive, down-to-earth Ogori man without guile, who has consistently identified with his roots, his kith and kins.
Besides, ASP Ajikanbi belongs to another group of entertainers – the Super Eagles Supporters Club. In their numbers, they took their turn to drum, sing and dance in honour of the celebrant who also took to the dance floor, showering crispy naira notes on the visiting entertainers.
As ASP Ajikanbi retires, the challenges of active policing may be behind him, but the opportunity to continue serving humanity remains.
For a man whose life has been described repeatedly in terms of service, consistency and generosity, retirement need not signify withdrawal from usefulness. Rather, it offers another opportunity to invest his experience, wisdom and time in family, community and the causes he holds dear.
ASP Joseph Ajikanbi, popularly known as Idowu Ogbe, may have taken off the uniform after 35 years, but the legacy of service, resilience and goodwill he leaves behind is one that his family, friends, colleagues and community can continue to celebrate.
His uniform has been retired; his legacy of service lives on.
Ebenezer Adurokiya is the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Stonix News, Crimes Chroniclers and NaijaSporaNews
