Insecurity: IGP Creates Two New Area Commands, Five Divisions In Benue
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
Alarmed by the increasing spate of insecurity in the Food Basket of the nation, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has approved the creation of two (2) new Area Commands and the upgrade of five (5) Police Stations to Divisional status in Benue State.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said in a statement on Friday, that the adjustment and upgrades is as a result of a comprehensive appraisal of the security realities within the state, particularly in troubled Local Government Areas where additional deployments and police presence have become highly imperative.
It will be recalled that Benue state citizens had, last month, called for stronger security measures and accountability to stem the tide of killings across the state which has been plagued by recurring intercommunal violence, largely driven by longstanding tensions between nomadic herders and mostly sedentary farming communities over access to and control of land, water, and other natural resources. A recent surge of deadly attacks had claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands in the region.
According to Adejobi, the newly created Area Commands are Daudu Area Command, which will oversee Guma, Daudu, Yelwata, and Agan Police Divisions, and Naka Area Command, which will supervise Naka, Apa, Agatu, and Okpokolo Police Divisions.
In the same vein, he said, Ayilamo, Yelwata, Jato-Aka, Okpokolo, and Agan Police Stations have been upgraded to full-fledged Divisions.
“The new strategic move is geared towards bridging identified operational gaps, enhancing police visibility, and ensuring more effective policing of difficult terrains”, Adejobi stated, adding that residents in the state can expect improved response to distress calls, quicker resolution of conflicts and policing services brought closer to the grassroots for better security outcomes.
Following this, the IGP has charged the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, alongside the officers to be deployed to the newly created Area Commands and upgraded Divisional Headquarters, to demonstrate renewed commitment and professionalism in ensuring robust security for the people within the affected areas.
This is even as he also called on the government and the good people of the state to continue to support the police at all levels, noting that such collaboration remains pivotal to enhancing quality service delivery and sustaining peace across the State.
Adejobi further disclosed that the IGP has directed Commissioners of Police in other areas experiencing similar security challenges arising from difficult terrains to evolve practical strategies that will guarantee comprehensive and community-driven policing within their jurisdictions, while assuring them of the necessary support and resources from the Force Headquarters to ensure effective and sustainable policing across the country.
