The Benue State’s new Commissioner of Police, Emenari Innocent has taken office with a promise to improve security through community policing.
This was said by Catherine Anene, the spokesperson for the state command, in a statement provided to reporters in Makurdi on Monday.
According to the statement, the new CP promised to fortify partnerships and community policing in order to safeguard people and property in the face of the state’s growing insecurity.
The new police chief, who joined the force in 1992, has held a number of positions as a mobile police officer. From 1996 to 1999, he served as the unit commander of the 27th Police Mobile Force (PMF) in Kastina State; from 1999 to 2002, he served as the unit commander of the 29th PMF in Awka, Anambra State; and from 2002 to 2003, he served as the unit commander of the 11th PMF in Calabar, Cross-River State.
He had also served in some states which included, Zamfara, Imo, Katsina, Anambra, Calabar, Osun, Ogun, Abia states and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
He last served as Commissioner of Police, Force Provost Marshal before his posting to Benue State.
The statement read in parts, “Benue State Police Command delighted to inform the general public that CP Emenari Ifeanyi Innocent, PhD., psc., mnips., has assumed duty as the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Police Command.
“The veteran officer hails from Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.
“He is a graduate of Theatre Arts from the prestigious University of Jos, Plateau State. In his quest for more knowledge, he proceeded to Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife where he bagged a Master of Arts degree and PhD in Literature in English. He was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Academy in the year 1992.
The new CP is said to have represented Nigeria in different foreign missions where he served as commanding officer. He was a Contingent Commander in the Nigeria Police Contingent to the United Nations Mission in Sudan, Ops Officer at, the Joint Operation Center (JOC) in Khartoum, Sudan, and Deputy Security Advisor, at Eastern Equatorial State, South Sudan in 2012.
Other leadership roles he held are; Commandant, Police College of Information Technology, Abeokuta, and Area Commander, Akwete Area Command, Abia State amongst many others.”
The statement added’ “Emenari has undergone extensive training, including Unit Combat Course PMF training, Armoured Personnel Carrier Course, PMF Training School, Gwoza and the Strategic Leadership and Command Course (SLCC) at the National Institute of Police Studies, Abuja in 2020.
“As Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Emenari pledges to strengthen community policing and partnerships, enhance security measures to protect lives and properties and use available resources to combat insecurity in the state.”