The newly appointed Commissioner of Police for Benue State, Emenari Innocent, has officially assumed office, with a commitment to improving security through strengthened community policing initiatives. This was disclosed in a statement by the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Catherine Anene, on Monday in Makurdi.
In his new role, CP Emenari promised to enhance security efforts and foster stronger collaborations with local communities to protect lives and property, particularly in light of the increasing security challenges facing the state. He emphasized his determination to combat insecurity using innovative strategies and community-driven policing approaches, aimed at ensuring safer environments for residents of Benue.
CP Emenari, who enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force in 1992, brings a wealth of experience to his new position. Over the years, he has held key roles within the police force, including serving as Unit Commander at several Police Mobile Force (PMF) locations. His tenure as Unit Commander saw him posted to PMF Units in Katsina, Anambra, and Cross River states between 1996 and 2003. His extensive service also took him to various other states, including Zamfara, Imo, Osun, Ogun, and Abia, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Before his appointment as Commissioner of Police in Benue, Emenari served as the Force Provost Marshal, a role in which he was responsible for overseeing disciplinary matters within the police force.
In his statement, the Benue State Police Command expressed its pride in welcoming CP Emenari to the state. The new CP hails from Ekwulobia in Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra State, and is a highly educated officer. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Jos, Plateau State, and furthered his academic journey by earning both a Master of Arts and a PhD in Literature in English from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
Throughout his career, CP Emenari has represented Nigeria in various international missions, showcasing his leadership on global peacekeeping assignments. Notably, he served as a Contingent Commander in the Nigeria Police Force’s participation in the United Nations Mission in Sudan, as well as an Operations Officer at the Joint Operation Center (JOC) in Khartoum. He also held the position of Deputy Security Advisor in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatorial State in 2012.
In addition to his foreign assignments, Emenari has held numerous leadership roles, including Commandant at the Police College of Information Technology in Abeokuta and Area Commander for the Akwete Area Command in Abia State. His expertise is backed by comprehensive training, such as the Unit Combat Course at the PMF Training School in Gwoza, the Armoured Personnel Carrier Course, and the Strategic Leadership and Command Course (SLCC) at the National Institute of Police Studies in Abuja, which he completed in 2020.
As he steps into his new position, CP Emenari reaffirmed his commitment to fortifying community policing and bolstering security initiatives to ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens in Benue State. He pledged to leverage all available resources to tackle the state’s security challenges effectively and collaborate closely with communities to enhance law enforcement and public safety across the region.