The police command in Benue State on Thursday said Bartholomew Onyeka had assumed duty as its new Commissioner of Police.

This was contained in a statement by SP Sewuese Anene, the state police public relations officer in Makurdi.

The statement stated that Mr Onyeka joined the Nigeria Police Force on March 3, 1990, as Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police.

The officer has served in various states across the country in operational, administrative and investigative capacities.

Some positions he held include commander, Operation Smash; commander, Operation Rescue; commander, Operation Festival; and commander, Operation fire for fire, all in Imo Command.

He was also a former Assistant Commissioner of Police, Administration, Abia Command; Deputy Commissioner of Police Administration (DCPA), Imo Command; DCPA, Zamfara Command and DCPA, Zone 1 Kano State.

The new CP was promoted to the rank of Commissioner of Police on June 3, 2021, and posted as CP In-Charge Force Communication, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

He served as Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command from November 4, 2021, to August 2, 2023, before his posting to Benue State.

He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and Defence Studies Association of India (DSAI).

Mr Onyeka had taken over from CP Julius  Okoro and pledged his commitment to protect lives and property in the state. 

(NAN)