Agbonika: Edo Police rank & file jubilate, hail DDM over report that exposed ex-CP Otimenyin, leading to her removal

Since the news of the removal of former Commissioner of Police (CP) for Edo State, Betty Enekpen Isokpan Otimenyin, and her replacement with Monday Agbonika, the rank and file of the Edo State Police Command have continued to jubilate.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) has continued to receive accolades over the report that exposed the former Commissioner of Police, leading to her eventual removal.

The accolades poured in from junior officers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, to avoid victimisation.

DDM published the report on February 28, 2025, and barely one month later, Otimenyin was shown the door, and Agbonika came in.

A whistleblower had disclosed the information in a confidential information made available to DDM earlier in February.

The whistleblower alleged that the new Edo State Commissioner is hell-bent on making money, rather than crime fighting.

According to the whistleblower, the then new Edo Police Commissioner turned the Command’s electricity to private property.

Otimenyin reportedly switches off power when not in office and only switch it on when she’s back to the office.

In the report, the writer accused Otimenyin of highhandedness and abuse of office by his subordinates, mainly junior police officers.

Read the full story below:

Edo Police Commissioner hell-bent on making money,
not crime fighting, officers allege

The ill-fated stint of Otimenyin

Betty Otimenyin’s ill-fated stint as commissioner reached a crescendo with the Uromi killing that saw sixteen hunters from the northern part of Nigeria murdered.

Her fate was as good as sealed when the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government condemned the killing of the 16 hunters at Uromi right under her nose.

Consequently, a new Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, was appointed for Edo State, succeeding Otimenyin.

CP Agbonika assumed duty on Monday, April 8, 2025, as Edo Police Commissioner of Police.

Agbonika took over mantle of leadership of Edo Police Command as 50th Commissioner of Police from Otimenyin.

Police authorities redeployed Otimenyin to Department of Operations, Force Headquarters in Abuja with immediate effect.

With 32 years of experience, Agbonika previously served as the CP of the Police Mounted Troop at Force Headquarters, Abuja.

He has held key roles in Interpol, Force CID Lagos, and various area commands.

At his posting interview, the Police Service Commission (PSC) tasked him with restoring security in Edo State.

PSC tasked him with investigating the Uromi massacre and bringing perpetrators to justice.

The Commission warned against excessive use of tactical units and emphasized community collaboration.

Squandered goodwill, fortunes of Agbonika

On her part, Otimenyin was the first indigenous and first female Commissioner of Police in-charge Edo State PoliceCommand.

She assumed duty after CP Umoru Peter Ozigi retired at the age of 60 on January 25, 2025.

Otimenyin reportedly speedily squandered the goodwill reposed on her by the high and low of Edo State, paving the way for Agbonika.

The need to tackle insecurity, cultism and kidnapping could not be over emphasised.

Even the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Ewuare the Second, passed a vote of confidence in Otimenyin

The Oba of Benin advised Otimenyin to remain focused on crime fighting, as if he knew what was cooking for her.

The state governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, also stood in the corridor of well-wishers.

Governor Okpebholo donated operational vehicles to the Command to support and enhance service delivery in the state.

The then Commissioner of Police, CP Otimenyin, received the vehicles and expressed gratitude, while congratulating Okpebholo on his 100 days in office.

All those goodwill and votes of confidence were frittered away by Otimenyin, who soon met her waterloo.

Presently, all eyes are on Agbonika to restore security, peace and sanity to the Edo Police command and the state in general.

Agbonika, on his part, has assured the people of the state of reducing crime to the barest minimum.

All eyes on the new Commissioner of Police!

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