Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The new Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, posted to Edo State Police command to take over from the first female CP, Betty Otimenyin, has vowed to work with all the communities and other sisters security agencies to reduce crimes and criminality in the state.
Truth Live News Media reports that CP Otimenyin was deployed by the Commission and replaced with CP Agbonika, days after the recent killing of travellers, branded criminals in a mob attack in Edo State.
Addressing journalists at the Nigeria Police Command headquarters in Benin City, CP Monday Agbonika said the task of fighting crimes and crime prevention are the responsibility of citizens.
He promised to work with communities, local vigilantes and sister security agencies across the state, amid high expectation from the public and residents.
“I want the members and the good people of Edo State to know that I have come here to work”.
“I intend to adopt a quasi policing whereby the police and members of the community will come together and decide what our problems are and solve the problems.
“Thereafter, we will together find solutions to these problems. I am sure to get the support of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Edo State”, the new CP said.
The 50th Commissioner of Police deployed to Edo State, hails from Idah LGA of Kogi State.
He holds Bsc in Psychology and later bagged Msc Organisational Psychology, Diploma in Police Science, and Msc in Security and Strategic Studies.
He was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force in 1992 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and trained in the Nigeria Police Academy Annex, Kaduna State.
He rose to the rank of Commissioner and has served for 33 years and has served in various capacities including in Ekiti, Lagos and Abuja.
He previously served as Commissioner, Mounted Troops Department of Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
CP Agbonika is expected to hit the ground running immediately.