- Urges Police, Plateau residents’ partnership for effective policing
BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – The current crisis rocking the Plateau State House of Assembly (PLSHA) on Wednesday consumed a big fish in the security sector with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, approving the immediate posting of CP Bartholomew Nnamdi Onyeka to take charge as the new Commissioner of Police (CP) in the State.
The major casualty is CP Edward Egbuka, who has been redeployed to the Force Headquarters for “other national engagements” in a surprise move by the Police hierarchy in Abuja.
Sources at the Force Headquarters hinted that Egbuka’s sudden redeployment may not be unconnected with the recent crisis among Plateau lawmakers in which some boldly accused him of inappropriate action and bias in supporting the minority faction.
Forefront gathered that Egbuka’s fate may have been sealed following his directives that had the embattled Speaker, Nuhu Ayuba Abok, and 11 other lawmakers arrested and whisked away from the Assembly Complex by security operatives on Monday.
However, a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba, which did not elaborate on reasons for the sudden change of guard, charged the people of Plateau State to continuously work with the Police for effective policing of their communities.
In the statement dated November 3, 2021, with reference number CZ.5300/FPRD/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.4/51, Mba quoted the IGP as assuring the Plateau police of the “unrelenting commitment of the Police leadership to containing prevailing and emerging crimes in the State.”
Furthermore, IGP Bala charged the new Police Commissioner to deploy his community-building experience in ensuring improved public safety and security of lives and property of the citizenry in the State.
According to the statement, CP Onyeka, hails from Nkume, in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State. He holds a B. A (Hons) in Public Administration and a Masters Degree in Defence Studies from Punjab University, India.
He has attended several tactical and leadership courses within and outside Nigeria including Strategic Leadership and Command Course (SLCC), Police Staff College, Jos; Financial Malpractices Investigation Course; and Armed Conflict Management Course, Command Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State.
Onyeka has also served in various operational, investigative, and administrative capacities in Bauchi, Imo, Abia, Zamfara State Commands, and Zone 1 Headquarters, Kano.
His posting is with immediate effect.
