The Edo State Police Commissioner, Monday Agbonika, has approved the redeployment of CSP Tomofe Nwabueze as the new Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for Ekpoma in Esan West Local Government Area.
The move followed widespread protests in the area last weekend over escalating insecurity, including kidnappings and the recent killing of a youth.
Nwabueze takes over from the former DPO, Nelson Igbinoba, whose removal comes as part of a broader security assessment and strategic repositioning in Ekpoma.
The state police spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, confirmed that Nwabueze’s posting was effective immediately.
The crisis began when residents staged demonstrations along a major highway to highlight rising insecurity.
Unfortunately, the protests were hijacked by some youths, leading to attacks on traders at the local livestock market, destruction of property, and the killing of livestock.
Hoodlums also vandalised the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Abumere II, an action strongly condemned by Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The police reassignment is part of measures aimed at restoring order and ensuring the safety of lives and property in Ekpoma.
The command emphasised that strategic redeployments like this were crucial to enhancing law enforcement effectiveness and rebuilding public confidence in security operations.
