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

Turns Edo Police Command's electricity to private property

The new Commissioner of Police in Edo State, CP Betty Enekpen Isokpan Otimenyin, has been accused of highhandedness and abuse of office by his subordinates, mainly young police officers.

A whistleblower disclosed this in a secret information made available to Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) earlier this week.

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

It could be recalled that the Police Service Commission (PSC) had announced the approval of Otimenyin’s appointment as the substantive Commissioner of Police for Edo State.

She took over from Mr. Nemi Edwin-Iwo, who resumed duty on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, but was transferred out after barely five months.

According to the whistleblower, the new Edo State 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.

The memo made available to DD reads in part: “The unexpected is happening in Edo Police Command.

“The new commissioner of police in Edo didn’t come to fight crime with what we are seeing.

“What is happening now is that she is after making money.

“We, therefore, call on the Inspector General of Police to pls intervene and advise her.

“She turned the command into darkness by switching off the electricity.

“That is unacceptable!” the memo added.

The whistleblower further explained how “Obaseki electricity” was connected to the command before the advent of Otimenyin.

Things, he claimed, went down south upon the arrival of Otimenyin.

He continued: “Before becoming the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, there was NEPA electricity.

“The Obaseki light was also connected.

“When the Command could not pay for Obaseki 24 hours light, they switched to NEPA electricity.

“When the new commissioner came, she paid for 24 hours Obaseki light and cut off NEPA light.

“The light is only switched on when she is in the office and switched it off when she out of office.

“She also gave order that all tactical teams report directly to her cutting off officers who were in charge before her arrival,” he lamented.

Not done with the tactical teams, Otimenyin shone her interest on “bank escort men”.

Our informant continued: “The most painful part is the bank escort men.

“What is happening to Bank escort men in B Ops is wickedness.

“These will work for 7,000 naira for the whole day and get paid 1,500 Naira.

“This is happening under the new commissioner of police.

“We don’t know if she came to fight crime of to make money.

“We are, therefore, calling on the Inspector General of Police to kindly intervene before it results to something else.”

He regretted that Edo State Command has never experienced what it is experiencing under the watch of the new commissioner of police.

He, thereby, called on the Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, who succeeded Godwin Obaseki, to help.

The source also asked the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, to intervene and call Otimenyin to order.

About Otimenyin

Betty Enekpen Otimenyin is the current Commissioner of Police for Edo State, Nigeria.

She made history as the first female Commissioner of Police in the state.

Otimenyin was reported as having a distinguished career in the Nigeria Police Force since her enlistment in 1992.

She has held various positions, including DPO in different divisions in Plateau and Edo Commands.

She was an Area Commander in Eleme, Rivers State, and Mbaitoli, Imo State.

Otimenyin also held sway as an Assistant Commissioner of Police Administration in Kebbi State.

Recently, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, expressed his support and satisfaction with her performance.

Oba Ewuare II prayed for her success, describing her deployment as “homecoming”.

Otimenyin has also reportedly been involved in community activities.

According to a report, she supported the Police Machine FC to win the Kada Unity Cup.

DDM reached out to the Public Relations Officer of Edo State Police Command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, over the allegations.

He, however, refused to react two days after he was contacted on WhatsApp.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook