The Benue State Command of the Nigerian Police Command has unveiled plans for its existing Police Complaints Response Unit (CRU) to collaborate with the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) in the state.
This was made known on Monday by the Commissioner of Police, Steve Hassan Yabanet who articulated that the initiative aims to facilitate the referral of civil cases lodged with the Unit to the PCC, thereby enhancing cooperation. This partnership, he assured will empower the Command to refer cases that fall outside its jurisdiction and are civil in nature to the Public Complaints Commission, allowing the police to concentrate on criminality and pressing issues that threaten societal peace.
The CP also expressed commitment to the allocation of personnel from the Command to the PCC. This measure, he said is designed to strengthen security at the Commission and provide assistance during enforcement actions targeting non-compliant parties under investigation.
In a release made available to the media by Akura Charles Orhemba, the Head of Publicity at the Benue State Office of the PCC, these commendable initiatives were triggered in response to requests made by the Federal Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission in Benue State, James Ogaba Oche during his visit to the Command on Monday November 18, 2024.
In his address, Oche noted that, “the aim of the courtesy call is to foster inter-agency collaboration in order to fulfill the PCC’s mandate of investigating and resolving both proactive and reactive complaints against public and private organizations involved in maladministration and injustice”.
To guarantee the success of these initiatives, the CP instructed Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Operations, Okon Etim Asuwuo, to closely coordinate with the PCC.
In reaction, Mr. Oche expressed gratitude for the vital role played by the Nigerian Police in crime prevention, maintaining public order, and protecting lives and property. He noted that since assuming office on October 2, 2024, he recognized the urgent necessity for strengthened collaboration with the police due to the considerable challenges faced by the Commission that require coercive enforcement.The PCC Boss also conveyed his appreciation to the CP for his unwavering support in providing personnel to assist the Commission’s enforcement efforts.
Oche also expressed gratitude to the Benue State CP for the notable decline in criminality within the state which he attributed to the tireless efforts of the Commissioner of Police and his team.
Accompanying Hon. Oche on the visit were key members of the PCC, including the Director of Investigation, Justin-Chuwang N. I.; Deputy Directors, Kpaakpa Terkura, Lucy Ene Onyilo, and Orhemba Akura Charles; Assistant Chief State Counsel Bar. Austin Ogbu; and Principal Information Officer Gabriel Agbese. They were joined by Chief of Staff Hon. Sunday Oche; Principal Personal Secretary Hon. Jeffry Anidile; and Media Aide to the Hon Commissioner, Hon. Emmanuel Ochai.
Meanwhile, the CP was in the company of several members of his team to receive the Hon. Commissioner, including DCP (Admin) Samuel Yerima Gimbal, DCP (Operations) Okon Etim Asuquo, ASP/PPRO Harry Ngbede, and Corporal Uzege Francis.
