By Dianabasi Effiong
The Police Service Commission has approved the appointment of Monday Agbonika of the Police Mounted Troop as the new Commissioner of Police, Edo State.
He takes over from CP Betty Enekpen Isokpan Otimenyin.
The new CP was at the Police Service Commission for a posting interview.
The interview was presided over by the Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd).
According to a statement by the Commission’s spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, he was supported by Justice Paul Galumje, retired Justice of the Supreme Court, who is representing the Judiciary in the Commission, and Chief Onyemuche Nnamani, the Secretary to the Commission.
The leadership of the Commission also charged the new Commissioner to be proactive and to settle down quickly to reduce the crime rate in the state.
He was also advised to look into the issues surrounding the recent killings in the state.
“He was reminded that what he does or not with the arrested suspects from the killings will determine his success or not in the state.
“You have to sit up and also work to win the confidence of the people, consult relevant stakeholders, and always document every incident and action taken and make sure those who should be informed are properly informed of your actions,” the statement added.
According to Ani, “the new Edo CP was also advised to avoid sidelining the requisite Police Departments for Tactical Units.”
Agbonika was also quoted in the statement to have promised the Commission that he would stand by relevant laws in the discharge of his duties and would depend on the Inspector General of Police for necessary guidance.
Agbonika was until his posting, Commissioner of Police, Mounted Troop, Force Equitation Officer, Force Headquarters.
He is a seasoned Police Officer with 32 years of experience, which covers Operations, Investigation, administration, Police Public Information, and Area/Divisional Police Management.
He was Commissioner of Police Communications (Operations), Deputy Commissioner Interpol, Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon close, Lagos; DCP Ops, Ports Authority Police Command, Port Harcourt; DCP Department of Finance and Admin, Zone 16 Yenagoa; Area Commander Ota, Ogun State; Area Commander ‘M’ Idimu, Lagos; and pioneer Area Commander Ayetoro, Ogun State, among other postings.
