The quiet corridors of the Benin City police headquarters held a heavy silence on Monday, a silence that spoke of sacrifice, duty, and the heavy price of keeping the peace. Assistant Inspector-General of Police Monday Agbonika, the immediate past Commissioner of Police for Edo State, broke that silence with a sobering revelation: the command lost several gallant officers in the line of duty, men and women who paid the ultimate price while defending the nation and shielding citizens from harm.
Agbonika, now at the helm of Zone 5, did not gloss over the turbulence that marked his tenure. He spoke openly of a period fraught with challenges—youth protests, student demonstrations, civil society outcries, and even friction with the business community. These were not abstract statistics but real, volatile moments that tested the mettle of every officer under his command. Yet, through it all, the force stood firm, and the fallen were honored for their courage and unwavering resolve.
The handover ceremony, which saw Patrick Daaor step into the role of Commissioner of Police for Edo State, was more than a routine transfer of power. It was a moment of reflection and forward-looking resolve. Agbonika, reflecting on his time in Edo, admitted that the greatest hurdle he faced was not crime itself, but earning the trust of the people. “My greatest challenge here,” he said, “was winning the trust and confidence of the people of Edo State. But I am happy to say that after many trials, they came to understand our strategies. They began to support us, and that is when we started making real progress.”
That progress, he cautioned, came at a cost. He urged his successor to build on the groundwork laid, particularly the push to reach the grassroots. “My advice is to leverage what we have achieved, especially in breaking into the grassroots. We must give good service to the people at the community level. Continue the societal approach—engage stakeholders, work with civil society organizations, collaborate with the government, and partner with traditional rulers, hunters, and the youth. Every sector of the community must be part of this fight against insecurity.”
The new Commissioner, Patrick Daaor, received the handover note with a clear vision. He promised a command that is highly mobile, proactive, and unafraid to confront crime head-on. “We will work towards winning even more of the trust of the good people of Edo State,” Daaor affirmed. “Every policeman will respect every citizen. That is non-negotiable.”
He also had a message for his officers: carry out your duties with civility. “We must be professional in all we do. The law is our guide, and respect for the people is our foundation.”
As the baton passed, the echoes of the fallen lingered, a reminder that the badge is not just a symbol of authority, but a promise—one that comes with the ultimate price for some, and an unyielding duty for the rest.
