New Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Nnaghe Obono Itam has set up drones surveillance centres across all the commands in Anambra state as measures to curtail the rate of crimes in the state.

The new CP was formerly one of the major heads of investigation in Lagos State for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The CP, according to the statement signed by SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the police command Public Relations Officer on Thursday, began the move with self training of sectional heads in the police operations department.

The statement reads in quote thus: “Since the assumption of the duty of the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, has continued to advocate his Policing Plan and Model which has to do with, Practical Intelligence, Technology-driven and Tactical Operations in the State, to relevant Stakeholders including Officers and Men of the Command.

The CP while addressing the Sectional Heads in the Operations Department, directs the creation of Field Operations Surveillance Centers and Field Operations Retraining Centers within the Area Commands.

He directs training of Officers on the use of drones for surveillance, refresher courses on weapon handling, musketry, and other monitoring devices aimed to nip crime in the bud and guide investigations when crimes are committed.

The CP also restated his stand against any professional misconduct, particularly extortion and other street-level corruption, and urged the Officers to supervise personnel in their respective sections/Units.

He reiterated that the Command under his watch would not tolerate any form of unprofessional conduct by police personnel.

In attendance, is the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in Charge of Intelligence, Heads of Tactical Units including the Commander of Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD), the Commander of the Anti-kidnapping/Rapid Respond Squad, the Commander of Special Anti-Cultism Squad, among others”.

Tochukwu Ikenga had earlier also reported that the Commissioner of Police CP Nnaghe Obono Itam on 14th May, 2024 lectures Officers of the heads of units in the Administrative department and moves to enhance the proficiency of the units.

“During the lecture, the CP noted that the department is tasked with managing strategic planning, welfare, and human resources as well as assessing performance in the Force.

He stated that the Nigeria Police Force, as a disciplined, transparent, responsible, responsive, and accountable institution will never condone any form of abuse of office, corruption, and sundry unprofessional conduct especially as it concerns handling of Correspondence/Mail.

He reiterates that such anomalies, aside from negating the professional calling of the Police, are unacceptable as they affect the entire execution of policies and directives, thereby widening the trust gap between the citizens and the Force.

The CP however reiterated the Command’s Commitment to enhancing Law Enforcement, Public Order, Public Safety, and Support Services to the State.

In another development, the Commissioner of Police paid a courtesy visit to the Department of State Services, Anambra State Command and he stated that the agency is a key partner in fighting crime and stabilizing internal security in the state.

He further seeks greater Cooperation and collaboration, especially in intelligence gathering, joint operations, and other sundry activities.

the CP was received by the Director of State Services, Mr Adesina Bolarinwa, and other senior members of the management of the Service”

Additionally, Ikenga had given brief background details of the new CP. He said: “Anambra State Police Command is pleased today 13th May 2024 to announce the assumption of duty, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam as the 34th Commissioner of Police of the Command.

The Posting of CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, is following the statutory retirement of CP Aderemi Adeoye on 1st May, 2024 for attaining 35 years of service to the nation.

CP Nnaghe Obono Itam was born on 16th June 1967 in Yakkur Local Government Area of Cross River State. He joined the Nigeria Police Force on 18th 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.

Before his posting as the Commissioner of Police Anambra, he was Commissioner of Police in charge of General Investigation, Force Criminal Investigation Annex, Kaduna.

Furthermore, 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 CP 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”.