Edo gets new Police Commissioner to quell reprisals’ attacks in the state
Following the recent mob action incident, where 16 northerners were hacked to death and their bodies burned by irate youths because the 16 people had dange gun in their possession in Edo State, the Edo State government and Police have condemned the mob action while announcing that there have been arrests of some of the people who perpetrated the heinous crime.
In a bid to prevent reprisal attacks, the Police Service Commission appointed Monday Agbonika as the new Commissioner of Police for Edo State, to be proactive in preventing reprisals from the recent killings in the state.
The appointment was made available in a press statement by Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Press and Public Relations, on Thursday, 3rd April 2025. The statement reads, “The Police Service Commission has approved the appointment of Monday Agbonika of the Police Mounted Troop as the new Commissioner of Police for Edo State. He takes over from CP Betty Enekpen Isokpan Otimenyin.”
The new Edo State Commissioner of Police was at the Police Service Commission for a posting interview presided over by the Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd mni, and supported by Justice Paul Adamu Galumje, retired Justice of the Supreme Court, who is representing the Judiciary in the Commission, and Chief Onyemuche Nnamani, Secretary to the Commission.
The leadership of the Commission charged the new Commissioner to be proactive and to settle down quickly so as to reduce the crime rate in the state.
He was also advised to look into the issues surrounding the recent killings in the state and was reminded that what he does or does not do with the arrested suspects from the killings will determine his success 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, ensuring that those who should be informed are properly notified of your actions.”
The new Edo CP was also advised to avoid sidelining the requisite Police Departments for Tactical Units.
CP Agbonika promised the Commission that he will stand by relevant laws in the discharge of his duties and will always depend on the Inspector General of Police for necessary guidance.
Prior to his posting, CP Agbonika was the Commissioner of Police for Mounted Troop and Force Equitation Officer at Force Headquarters. He is a seasoned Police Officer with 32 years of experience covering Operations, Investigation, Administration, Police Public Information, and Area/Divisional Police Management.
He was formerly the Commissioner of Police Communications (Operations), Deputy Commissioner of Interpol, Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon Close, Lagos; DCP Operations, 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.
