Edo Police Task Igbinedion University on Anti-cultism Awareness for Students

By Osehobo Ofure, Benin City

Edo State Police Commissioner Monday Agbonika, on Wednesday asked authorities of the Igbinedion University, Okada,to intensify awareness campaigns on laws prohibiting cultism and other vices.

Addressing the University’s management at the Senate Chambers, at Okada, Ovia Northeast local government area, CP Agbonika emphasized the need, “for sustained engagement with key institutions to curb criminal activities”.

He disclosed that since assuming office, his command has faced significant challenges, including cultism, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.

The police chief, who previously served as Commissioner of Police for the Mounted Troop and Force Equitation Officer at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, however commended Igbinedion University for its proactive stance against criminality.

He noted that no student of the institution had been implicated in the ongoing crackdown on cultism and related offenses in the state by the Command.

CP Agbonika said, ” the importance of reinforcing the existing partnership between the police and the institution to enhance security within and around the campus cannot be overstated “.

In his response, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lawrence Ezemonye, PhD, FAS, praised CP Agbonika as a seasoned officer with 32 years of distinguished service spanning operations, investigations, administration, and public relations.

Professor Ezemonye lauded the Edo State Police Command’s inclusive approach to crime fighting and reaffirmed the University’s commitment to collaborating with the Nigerian Police and other security agencies.

“We established the Buratai Centre for Security Studies as a testament to the institution’s dedication to security education and research”.

The Commissioner was accompanied by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Intelligence Department (SID), Nurudeen Oyedele, and other senior officers, underscoring the importance of the visit.

The engagement signals a renewed push by the Edo State Police Command to foster stronger ties with academic institutions and other stakeholders in its bid to ensure a safer environment for residents.