Mixed Feelings Greet FCT CP Beneth Igwe’s Promotion To AIG

By Gideon Njoku

Promotion at one’s place of work ought to bring joy and celebration to one’s family, associates and friends. But in the case of Beneth Igweh, Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory, FCT, it is not quite joy and celebration. It is a mixed bag.

Igweh, a well grounded Police Officer, was on Friday, August 30, 2024, promoted to the rank of an Assistant Inspector General, AIG, of Police by the Police Service Commission, PSC, during the Commission’s Plenary.

He was among 8 CPs promoted to the rank of AIGs.

Ordinarily, it calls for celebration. In the Military, Police and other such uniformed institutions, including the Department of State Services, DSS, ranks matter. People look forward to the promotion of their own.

However, in Igwe’s case, the response amongst his kinsmen and Abuja residents is: “Well deserved, but why now?”

Here’s the answer.

For his kinsmen, the celebration over his appointment as FCT Commissioner of Police was brief. They see his promotion to the rank of an AIG as a kind of short-change.

Again, here’s why.

In the history of the FCT, Igweh’s  appointment was the first time an Igbo man would be appointed as CP.

His kinsmen, therefore, saw his appointment as giving the Igbo a sense of belonging.

He assumed office on February 2, 2024 as the CP FCT. Barely six months down the line, he has been promoted out of the high profile office.

For FCT residents, many are lamenting the loss, through promotion, of a hardworking, rugged, competent Officer. They say he is a crime buster who gave criminals hell, and gave residents a rest of mind. “They should have left him for us”, a resident who gave his name as Bature, lamented.

However, for Igweh, it is  thanks to God, the PSC, the IGP and his superiors who found him worthy of the high rank of an AIG. He is in a celebration mood and looking forward to wearing his new rank.

On assumption of office as FCT CP on February 2, Igweh pledged to go after kidnappers, “one chance” robbers, armed robbers, bandits and other criminals.

In the few months he was in office, he gave a good account of himself.

He was the 31st FCT  Commissioner of Police.