By Idongesit Ashameri, Uyo The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Gabriel Achong, will bow out of the Force he got enlisted as an officer on August 1, 1980, come July 31, 2015, after 35 years of service. CP Achong told newsmen in Uyo, the State capital, over the weekend that he would formally bow out in a grand pull out ceremony at the Uyo Township Stadium on July 31. “At this juncture, I feel that it is important I officially inform you of my retirement from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on July 31, 2015, after 35 years of active meritorious service to our great nation, Nigeria,” Achong announced at the Ikot Akpanabia headquarters of the State Police Command. “My sojourn in the Nigeria Police Force started on August 1, 1980. And I have by God’s grace held many administrative, investigative and operational command positions across the length and breadth of our Country Nigeria,” he added. He thanked God for sparing his life and recalled with nostalgia that he joined the Police Force with over 150 others but regretted that not up to 45 are alive. He said his ingenuity in crime fighting has led to heavy reduction in crime rate in Akwa Ibom. He attributed his success to a combination of vigilante, community and intelligence-led policing. Judging from his experience through the ranks, the retiring CP advised younger officers not to jump the gun in their quest to the top, cautioning that such rush may lead to a crash that may ultimately affect their future. Achong, who said he was only stepping aside, disclosed that he would still be working behind the scene to offer security advice and intelligence in aid of effective policing in the state. He pledged continued loyalty the Force that has brought him fame and fortune, vowing, “I will not do any other job; I will still be a Policemen till death.”