AIG Monday Agbonika, fdc has officially assumed duty as the new Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin City, following the retirement of AIG Salman-Dogo Garba, psc, mnips.
The deployment, which took effect on July 29, 2026, places the seasoned police officer in charge of the Zone covering Edo and Delta States, where he is expected to provide strategic leadership in strengthening security, combating crime and deepening community policing.
AIG Agbonika brings to the position more than three decades of policing experience, having served in several operational, investigative and administrative capacities across the Nigeria Police Force. Before his latest appointment, he was the Commissioner of Police for Edo State Command, a position he held until his promotion to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police on May 18, 2026.
A native of Idah Local Government Area of Kogi State, AIG Agbonika joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992, as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police after undergoing training at the Nigeria Police Academy Annex in Kaduna State.
He possesses an impressive academic background, holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Organizational Psychology from the University of Jos. He also earned a Master’s degree in Security and Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Peace and Conflict Studies at the same institution.
His professional development includes completing all mandatory police courses, including the prestigious Police Staff College programme. He is a Fellow of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice as well as a Fellow of the National Defence College, Nigeria.
Throughout his career, AIG Agbonika has built an outstanding record in criminal investigations, intelligence, public relations, administration and operational policing. He previously served as Commissioner of Police in charge of the Mounted Troop at the Department of Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
His investigative experience includes serving as Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Robbery Squad in Plateau State and leading the Anti-Fraud Section of the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department, Zone 2, Lagos, where he successfully supervised several high-profile investigations.
He also served as Divisional Police Officer in several Lagos State divisions, including Festac, Surulere, Oke-Odo, Isokoko and the Central Police Station, Adeniji Adele, before rising to become Area Commander in Ekiti, Lagos and Ogun States.
Beyond his domestic assignments, AIG Agbonika has earned international recognition for his contributions to peacekeeping and community policing. He served as Public Information Officer with the United Nations Police Mission in Liberia, where he worked alongside officers from more than 39 countries and contributed to drafting the Liberian National Police Media Policy.
In 2015, he attended the United States Institute of Peace workshop in Washington, D.C., focusing on community policing strategies for countering violent extremism. He is also an alumnus of the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) on the Role of State Police in the Criminal Justice System of the United States.
His distinguished service has earned him numerous commendations, including the Commissioner of Police Commendation Award for Courage in Plateau State, the Most People-Friendly Police Station Award presented in South Africa and recognition as a finalist in the 2015 Spirit of Lagos Awards under the Exemplary Conduct category.
With his vast operational experience, academic qualifications and international exposure, stakeholders believe AIG Agbonika is well-positioned to enhance security coordination, promote democratic policing and strengthen public confidence in law enforcement across Edo and Delta States.
He is married with children and enjoys reading and travelling.
POLICE PRESS RELEASE
In Reply, Please Quote: CZ:5300/ZN.5/DFA/ZPPRO/VOL.2/214
Date: 29th July, 2026
The Editors/Managers of News
AIG Monday Agbonika, fdc Assumes Duty as New Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin City
Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin City wishes to inform the general public, particularly the good people of Edo and Delta States, that a new Assistant Inspector-General of Police has been deployed to the Zone, which comprises Edo and Delta State Police Commands.
He is AIG Monday Agbonika, fdc, who officially assumed duty on 29th July, 2026, succeeding AIG Salman-Dogo Garba, psc, mnips, who recently retired from the Nigeria Police Force.
AIG Monday Agbonika hails from Idah Local Government Area of Kogi State. His policing career commenced on 18th May, 1992, when he enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police and underwent training at the Nigeria Police Academy Annex, Kaduna State.
He holds a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Psychology, an M.Sc. in Organizational Psychology, both from the University of Jos, a Master’s Degree in Security and Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Ibadan.
He has successfully completed all mandatory Police courses, including the Police Staff College programme (psc). He is also a Fellow of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (fspsp) and a Fellow of the National Defence College, Nigeria (fdc).
Prior to his promotion as Assistant Inspector-General of Police on 18th May, 2026, AIG Agbonika served as the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command. He has over thirty years of policing experience covering criminal investigations, administration, public information, divisional policing, area command, state command and now zonal command.
He also served as Commissioner of Police, Mounted Troop, Department of Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
His investigative background includes serving as Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Robbery Squad in Plateau State and leading the Anti-Fraud Section of the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department, Zone 2, Lagos, where he handled several high-profile investigations.
He also served as Divisional Police Officer in Festac, Surulere, Oke-Odo, Isokoko and Adeniji Adele Divisions in Lagos State before becoming Area Commander in Ekiti, Lagos and Ogun States.
His commitment to community policing has earned him international recognition. He previously served as Public Information Officer with the United Nations Police Mission in Liberia, where he worked with officers from over 39 countries and contributed to the drafting of the Liberian National Police Media Policy.
In 2015, he participated in a United States Institute of Peace workshop in Washington, D.C., on community policing approaches to countering violent extremism.
AIG Agbonika’s blend of frontline command experience, investigative expertise, international peacekeeping exposure and commitment to community policing positions him to advance democratic policing within the Zone.
He has received several commendations and awards, including:
• Commissioner of Police Commendation Award for Courage in Plateau State.
• Most People-Friendly Police Station Award presented in South Africa.
• Finalist in the 2015 Spirit of Lagos Award in the Exemplary Conduct category.
He is also an alumnus of the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) on the Role of State Police in the Criminal Justice System of the United States.
AIG Agbonika is happily married with children and enjoys reading and travelling.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin City, solicits the cooperation of the people of Edo and Delta States in providing useful and timely information that will support the Police in combating crime and criminality within the Zone.
Signed
SP Tijani A. Momoh, ANIPR
Police Public Relations Officer
Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin City
29th July, 2026
