Pastor CP Nnaghe Obono Itam and Aderemi Adeoye's big shoes

By Tony Okafor


On Monday, the Anambra State Police Spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, in a press statement, announced the arrival of a new sheriff in the state, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam.

Itam assumed office as the 34th Commissioner of Police in Anambra State.

He took over from CP Aderemi Adeoye who recently pulled out from the police force after 35 years of service.

Adeoye during his less than one year service in the state reduced crime to the barest minimum. Cultists and their sponsors, especially in Awka, the state capital, faced hot chase. In fact, barely 24 hours to Adeoye's retirement, scores of cultists were arrested and dumped in cells.

For his crime busting dexterity and professionalism , Adeoye was adjudged the best Commissioner of Police Anambra State has ever had.

As a consequence, the state government named a street after him.

That was not all, two communities in the state also bestowed chieftaincy titles on him as compliments for his good works to the state.

Uncountable social groups, including journalists, in the state also honoured him(Aderemi Adeoye) in one way or another.

No doubt, CP Itam is stepping into Adeoye's big shoes by taking over from him as the new sheriff in town.

Everybody knows what happens when a new sheriff is drafted to a location:
everywhere and everything stands at attention. The status quo is expected to be disrupted for something new, something fresh, something more enduring.

These are some of the challenges CP Itam will face as he takes charge of policing Anambra State .


We have seen the tall profile of CP Itam, he is a largely sociologist and Anthropologist and an ordained Reverend of the Foundation Faith Church, Salem Family worldwide. He also has a strong stress area in crime busting like his immediate predicessor.

For Itam to have combined two professions that are polaric opposite ( policing and pastoring), may be why the police authorities chose him above his peers for the Anambra job.

As he begins, Nnewi-South, Aguata, Ihi­ala and some other border local government areas where high rate of crimes and other nefarious activ­ities such as kidnapping and other forms of crimi­nalities are dominant should be his major focus.

Itam should Investigate recent reports about kidnappings in Ukwulu and environs; and ensure that the cult killings in Awka, the state capital, amongst others are tackled to a conclusive end.

As the state approaches 2025 election year, CP Itam should open his eyes both as a police and a pastor in dealing with politicians in the state. To say the least, some of the politicians can be horrible!


He needs to be reminded that Anambra State is a place for the good , the bad and the ugly.


We will also advise CP Itam to maintain a cordial professional intimacy with his predicessor, Aderemi Adeoye. There will be much to benefit by so doing.

You are welcome to Anambra State: The Light of the Nation. We salute you.