BY MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
In a puzzling and shocking circumstance, another Commissioner of Police (CP), Peter Umoru Ozigi has assumed duty in Edo State, replacing CP Nemi Edwin-Iwo, who served for just two months.
CP Edwin-Iwo took office on August 13, 2024, following CP Funsho Adegboye transfer to Force Headquarters, Abuja.
This rapid succession of leadership is raising puzzles and shocks as CP Edwin-Iwo joins the list of few Commissioners of Police to have served short tenures in Edo command.
Notably, CP Hakeem Olusegun Odumosu who later became Lagos State CP also had a brief stay, taking over from CP Babatunde Kokumo Johnson on January 2, 2019, before being replaced by CP DanMallam Mohammad shortly after.
CP Peter Ozigi, who previously served as the Force Provost Marshal in Abuja, officially assumed duties as the 48th indigenous Commissioner of Police in Edo State on Friday, October 18, 2024.
His deployment, Edo residents expect will further boost law enforcement and crime control in the state as the new government takes over November 12, 2024.
According to a statement made available to journalists by the Public Relations Officer for the Command SP Moses Joel Yamu, CP Umoru Peter Ozigi hails from Adavi LGA of Kogi State and a graduate of Business Administration from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria.
The statement further stated that CP Umoru Ozigi got enlisted into Nigeria Police Force in 1992 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police, and trained in the prestigious Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano.
“He has served the Force in various capacities within the last 30 years as follows; Pioneer Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Aliero Division, Kebbi State Command, Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Langtang in Plateau State, Zone 8 Headquarters, Lokoja, Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja.
“Commanding Officer 21 PMF, Nyanya, DPO Langtang North, Plateau State Command, Financial Malpractices Investigating Unit (FMIU), FCID Lagos, Seconded to EFCC, DPO Kwali, FCT Command, 2i/c Zonal CID, Zone 7 Abuja, Area Commander Bajoga, Gombe State, Area Commander Nsukka, Enugu State.
“DC Operations, Zone 17 Akure, Ondo State, DC Zonal CID, Zone 8 Lokoja, Kogi State, CP Force Provost Marshal, Force Headquarters, Abuja”, it said.
The release also revealed that among various courses the CP has attended included Advanced Detective Course, Police Staff College, Jos- Plateau State, Junior Command Course, Police Staff College, Jos- Plateau State, Intermediate Command Course, Police Staff College, Jos- Plateau State, Community Policing Course, Police Staff College, Jos-Plateau State, Strategic Leadership and Command Course, National Institute of Police Studies (NIPS), Abuja.
Other, the statement added included, Criminal Investigation Course, EFCC Training and Research Institute, Training of Trainers Course, DFID British Council, Major Case Management Course- FBI, Internal Security Course, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji- Kaduna State, Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflicts Course, Nigeria Defence Academy, Kaduna.
The remaining part of the statement said:
“CP Umoru Peter Ozigi possesses vast experience and knowledge in investigation, Operations and Administration. He is highly disciplined, detribalized and hardworking officer who will wield these attributes to ensure lives and property of all the residents of the State are protected.
“The CP is mindful of the yearnings of the people of Edo State in terms of security and safety and is soliciting for the cooperation of the general public to subdue all forms of crime and criminality in the State.”
It would be recalled that a reshuffle believed to be part of a broader effort by Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to revitalize the state Police Command for improved service delivery ahead of the recently conducted governorship election in the state reportedly formed parts of the posting that hit the police Command, last August.
Also, the high-level transfers which brought in the present Public Relations Officer for the police command, SP Moses Yamu came in the wake of a politically motivated incident where a police orderly was killed by political thugs at the Benin Airport gate.
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