Police to establish Area Commands in Benue over attacks

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Friday announced creation of two police Area Commands in Benue State following an attack in Yelwata that left over 200 people mostly women and children dead. The top cop also directed immediate upgrade of five police posts to the Divisional Police Stations coupled with additional deployments of equipment […]

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Friday announced creation of two police Area Commands in Benue State following an attack in Yelwata that left over 200 people mostly women and children dead.

The top cop also directed immediate upgrade of five police posts to the Divisional Police Stations coupled with additional deployments of equipment and officers across some troubled Local Government Areas in the State.

Daily Trust reports that Benue, Plateau and some States in the North Central geo-political zone in the country had in the recent time witnessed killings of innocent villagers by gunmen suspected to be bandits and terrorists.

Reacting to the presidential directive on tackling security challenges in those areas, Egbetokun said more creation of police formations and deployment of both human and physical assets would go a long way.

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“This strategic adjustment follows a comprehensive appraisal of the security realities within the State, particularly in troubled Local Government Areas where additional deployments and police presence become highly imperative.

“The new strategic move is geared towards bridging identified operational gaps, enhancing Police visibility, and ensuring more effective policing of difficult terrains,” the police boss said in a statement issued on his behalf by the Force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

According to him, the restructuring was aimed at ensuring improved response to distress calls, fostering quicker resolution of conflicts and bringing policing services closer to the grassroots for better security outcomes.

He lised the newly created Area Commands as: Daudu Area Command, which will oversee Guma, Daudu, Yelwata, and Agan Police Divisions as well as Naka Area Command, which will supervise Naka, Apa, Agatu and Okpokolo Police Divisions.

Similarly, he listed Ayilamo, Yelwata, Jato-Aka, Okpokolo and Agan Police posts as some of the posts that have been upgraded to full-fledged Divisions.

Egbetokun 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.

He directed that they should ensure robust security for the people within the affected areas, while calling on the government and the people of the State to continue to support the Police at all levels.

The IGP further noted that such collaboration remains pivotal in enhancing quality service delivery and sustaining peace across the State.