In a move geared towards strengthening internal security architecture and enhancing operational efficiency, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has approved the establishment of two additional Area Commands in Benue State, along with the strategic upgrading of five divisional police stations across the state.
The latest development was confirmed by the Benue State Police Command, which noted that the decision aligns with the ongoing nationwide police reform agenda championed by the Nigeria Police Force. According to the Command, the newly approved Area Commands are sited in Gboko and Otukpo, two of the state’s major towns with historical significance and growing security demands. These locations, it was gathered, were selected based on careful security assessments, population density, and the increasing need for closer administrative and operational police oversight.
In addition to the two new Area Commands, five divisional headquarters have also been upgraded to enhance their capacity in terms of personnel deployment, logistics, and command hierarchy. The upgraded stations include those located in strategic flashpoints across Benue, reflecting the IGP’s commitment to decentralizing policing and ensuring that law enforcement is more responsive to grassroots security concerns.
The Benue State Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Adesina, while addressing journalists in Makurdi, described the approval as timely, especially given the state’s complex security landscape. He noted that the upgrades and new commands would not only enhance visibility policing but also improve response time to incidents and foster stronger collaboration with host communities.
Recall that Benue has faced multiple security challenges over the years, including communal clashes, banditry, and farmer-herder conflicts. The new initiative is expected to serve as a force multiplier in tackling these recurring threats and rebuilding public trust in law enforcement institutions.
Meanwhile, local stakeholders and traditional rulers have applauded the Inspector General’s decision, describing it as a proactive step that will bring the police closer to the people. The move is also seen as a critical part of the broader vision to implement community policing and modernize the internal security framework in line with global best practices.
The implementation process for the new Area Commands and upgraded stations will commence immediately, with directives already issued for personnel deployment and infrastructure adjustments.
This bold administrative action underscores the IGP’s resolve to recalibrate the policing structure across Nigeria, starting from areas with urgent security demands such as Benue State.
