The news of his death left many in shock and disbelief, particularly his colleagues who saw him at a recent social gathering.
Sodiq Rabiu
Lagos – Nigeria’s Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Waheed Ayilara has passed on.
Ayilara reportedly died in the early hours of Thursday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.
Sources close to the family told The Nation he underwent prostate cancer surgery on Wednesday before he died hours later.
“We are very sad to inform you that our friend, brother, and family, the Commissioner of Police for Akwa Ibom State, Waheed Ayilara, is dead,” the family was quoted as saying by local news outlet, The Nation.
A top police officer in Akwa Ibom State, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, also confirmed the CP’s death.
Late Ayilara was said to have attended his boss’s son’s wedding and a senior colleague’s retirement and birthday ceremony in Lagos.
The news of his death left many in shock and disbelief, particularly his colleagues who saw him at the social gathering, according to Vanguard news.
A source close to the deceased said: “CP Ayilara was in high spirits during the celebration, showing no signs of illness. His sudden passing has left many struggling to come to terms with the loss.”
“We were together at the party, and he was his usual self, laughing and joking. We can’t believe he’s gone,” said another colleague.
Sources further disclosed that the late CP walked into the hospital on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, a day after the party, for surgery. “Unfortunately, he died this morning.”
Spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In November 2023, as a DCP, Ayilara was unveiled as the acting Commissioner of Police in Lagos.
Ayilara, a former Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, Lagos, took over from AIG Idowu Owohunwa.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, deployed Ayilara to head Akwa Ibom State Command in February 2024.