By PAMELA EBOH

A new Commissioner of Police, a pastor, CP Nnaghe Onong Itam on Monday assumed office at the Anambra State Police Command in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area as the 34^th police head to grace the state.

Itam would be replacing the immediate past Commissioner, Mr Aderemi Adeoye who retired from active service on 1^st May 2024.

A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga partly read, “Anambra State Police Command is pleased today, 13^th May 2024 to announce the assumption of duty by CP Nnaghe Obono Itam as the 34^th Commissioner of Police of the Command.

“The Posting of CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, by the Inspector General of Police IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun followed the statutory retirement of CP Aderemi Adeoye on 1/5/2024 after attaining 35 years of service to the nation.

“CP Nnaghe Obono Itam was born on 16^th June 1967 in Yakkur LGA of Cross River State. He joined the Nigeria Police Force on 18^th May 1992 as a cadet Assistant Superintendent at the Nigeria Police Academy Annex Kaduna.

“CP Nnaghe Obono Itam holds a BSc in Sociology and Anthropology from the University of Calabar and a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Port Harcourt.

“Throughout his career, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam has served in various states across the Federation. Some notable positions he held include patrol and guard officer at Elimgbu Police Division in Rivers State, DPO Akamkpa Police Division, Cross River State, Divisional Police Officer Export Processing Zones Authority, Calabar and Directing Staff and Instructor, Police Detective College, Agbani Road, Enugu.

“He was also once the Commanding Officer 25 Police Mobile Force Squadron, Head of the Counter-Terrorism and General Investigations, EFCC Lagos, Coordinator of Courses, EFCC Academy, Karu, Abuja, Zonal Director/Head of Operations, EFCC Port Harcourt and Director of Internal Affairs, EFCC Headquarters, Abuja.

“As a Deputy Commissioner of Police, he was once the coordinator of Police service delivery, SERVICOM, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Investigations Zone 11, covering Oyo and Osun State and Deputy Commissioner of Police Operations responsible for review and internal Security governance in cross river and Akwa Ibom State.”

According to the Ikenga, the new CP before his posting was the Commissioner of Police in charge of General Investigation Force Criminal Investigation Annex, Kaduna.

He further said: "CP Nnaghe Obono Itam has received specialized training, including the Advanced Detective Course, Police College Jos, Squadron Commanders Course Police Moblie Force Gwoza, Ila Osun State, Tactical Leadership and Command Course Police College, Jos, Canadian Police College Senior and Lead Auditor Course, Servicom Nigeria in Kenya.

“The commissioner is also a recipient of so many awards and honors including the best-graduating Student in the Edanada Secondary School class of 1983, best graduating Student University of Calabar Department of Sociology and Anthropology class of 1990, and the United Nations Medal of Service, 2002/2003.

“He is also an ordained Reverend of Foundation Faith Church, Salem Family worldwide.

“The new Commissioner of Police seeks the support and cooperation of the general public in combatting crime within the state. He is committed to implementing proactive policing strategies and community policing to ensure a safer Anambra State.

“CP Nnaghe Obono Itam’s hobbies include Conference presentations, Farming, Community Services, Leadership Coach, writing, and traveling. He is happily married with children.”

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