The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 5, Monday Agbonika, on Monday handed over to CP Patrick Daaor, who was recently deployed to the state.
Agbonika who was appointed CP of Edo state in April, 2225, was appointed Assistant Inspector-General of Police and deployed to Zone 5, in Benin.
Speaking after handing over the newly deployed State Commissioner of Police at the Command headquarters in Benin, the AIG disclosed that the fight to win the trust and confidence of Edo people was his greatest challenge when he served as Commissioner of Police in the State.
“My greatest challenge here is probably getting to win the trust and confidence of the people of Edo State.
“But, I am happy to tell you that at the tail end, eventually after a lot of challenges, they got to understand our strategies and they started supporting and that was when we started making achievements and progress in the states,” he said.
Speaking further, Agbonika noted that the successes recorded under his command came at a cost.
“Some of our gallant officers paid the supreme price in the defense of our nation and the protection of our people. We honor their courage and sacrifice.
“We also encountered difficult moments, including protests involving youths, students, civil society groups, parents, and even business community,” he added.
The AIG, advised his successor to partner all stakeholders in the fight against insecurity.
He said: “My advice to the incoming Commissioner of Police is to leverage the achievements, especially what we have achieved in terms of breaking into the grassroots because we have to be able to give good services to the grassroots.
“He should continue with the all of society approach, engaging all stakeholders, engaging the CSOs agencies and continue to work closely with the government at the same time working with traditional rulers, working with hunters, working with youths, working with all sectors of the community.”
Speaking while receiving the handover note from his predecessor, CP Patrick Daaor, assured that the Command under his watch would leverage community policing while operating an open-door policy in its bid to effectively police the state.
He assured Edo people of a highly mobile and proactive police Command that is ready to face crime and criminality headlong.
Daaor urged officers of the Command to be civil while carrying out their lawful duties.
“We will work towards winning more of the trust of the good people of Edo State.will ensure that every policeman has respect for every citizen of their state,” he said.
