By Akinwale Kasali
Little or nothing was known of Nigerian Police Woman, Mary Yetunde Aina, popularly known as Iron Abbey, until her history- making victory over United Kingdom’s Laura Pain in the World Boxing Foundation, WBF, International Super Bantamweight title belt at City Coast Centre in Portslade, East Sussex, London on Friday February 18, 2022.
The victorious Constable is a renowned Boxing Judge and Professional Boxer. She has a clean sheet and several amateur wins to her name.
She has a-100 percent record as she is yet to lose any fight since making her debut in the ring.
Following her superlative performance in the United Kingdom leading to her triumph, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has congratulated and showered encomiums on Iron Abbey, who serves in the Lagos State Police Command.
Aina drew the admiration of the Nigeria Police Force, including the Inspector General of Police, who issued a statement on Sunday signed by the acting Force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, noting that she has distinguished herself greatly in the boxing sphere.
He stated that the officer, nicknamed Iron Abbey, serves in the Lagos State Police Command and has won several awards and recommendations as a boxing referee at the amateur level.
Iron Abbey is set to be received in Nigeria in grand style on return to home.
The Police Boss commended her for the courage, tenacity, resilience and giant strides in making the nation and the Nigeria Police Force proud.
In the same vein, the IGP called on sports enthusiasts within the Force to be unrelenting in developing their skills and dauntless in charting new frontiers in the world of sports.
The statement released by the Police Force said: “The IGP intends to receive the champion in Nigeria on arrival soon, commended the cop for her courage and giant strides in making the nation and the Nigeria Police Force proud. In the same vein, the IGP called on sports enthusiasts within the Force to be unrelenting in developing their skills and dauntless in charting new frontiers in the world of sports.
“Similarly, IGP while applauding the unprecedented feats recorded in the Nigeria Police Sports circle, charged officers of the Nigeria Police Force to develop and diversify their talents towards the advancement of modern policing strategies that are capable of strengthening the internal security of the country as required”.
It is expected that Aina could be given a special promotion in rank by the IGP in appreciation of her feat
It will be recalled that Chioma Ajunwa, now an Assistant Police Commissioner, made Nigeria proud when she won an Olympic Gold in Atlanta, thus becoming the first Nigerian to win an Olympic Gold in Athletics. She leaped to the Olympic Gold in Long Jump.
