By Peter Uwumarogie
Gombe, Dec. 18, 2025 (NAN) – A new chapter for policing in Gombe State commenced on Thursday as Mr. Umar Chuso formally assumed duty as the Commissioner of Police. The handover marks a significant leadership transition within the state’s security architecture, coming at a time when effective law enforcement is paramount to societal stability and economic growth.
The announcement was officially made in a statement released in Gombe by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi.
CP Chuso takes over the reins from his predecessor, Bello Yahaya, who has been redeployed to the prestigious Police Staff College in Jos, Plateau State—a move often indicative of an officer’s experience being tapped for training the next generation of police leadership.
Profile of the New Commissioner
The new police chief brings a distinct background to the role. A native of Sokoto South Local Government Area in Sokoto State, CP Chuso’s academic foundation is in Agricultural Economics, a discipline he studied at the renowned Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. This unique educational background suggests a perspective that may integrate economic principles and rural community understanding into security strategies, which could be particularly valuable in a state like Gombe with significant agrarian activities.
His policing journey began over three decades ago, on June 10, 1994, when he joined the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). His foundational training was conducted at the Nigeria Police Academy in Wudil, Kano State.
A Career of Strategic Leadership
The statement highlighted CP Chuso’s “illustrious career,” noting his service in “several strategic and leadership positions.” Most notably, he previously served as the Commissioner of Police for Nasarawa State Command. This prior experience as a state CP is crucial; it means he is entering the Gombe assignment not as a novice, but as a leader already familiar with the complexities of commanding a state police apparatus, managing resources, and interfacing with a state government and diverse communities. His tenure in Nasarawa likely provided him with tested strategies for addressing communal clashes, farmer-herder conflicts, and kidnappings—challenges that are not unfamiliar to the North-East region.
The Chuso Doctrine: Community Policing and Collaboration
In his inaugural address, CP Chuso immediately laid out his core philosophy. He called for the sustained cooperation of all stakeholders to effectively combat crimes and social vices. This is more than a routine appeal; it is an acknowledgment that the police cannot operate in a vacuum.
He made a specific pledge to strengthen community-based policing, outlining it as a strategic triad for:
- Crime Prevention: Moving beyond reactive responses to fostering local networks that deter criminal activity before it occurs.
- Intelligence-Led Policing: Using information gathered from trusted community partnerships to direct operations and resource deployment more efficiently.
- Improved Police-Community Relations: Actively rebuilding trust, which is often the most critical component in gaining citizen cooperation.
To achieve this, Chuso directly urged stakeholders—including traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, local government authorities, and the general public—to engage through:
- Active participation in community policing initiatives (e.g., Neighborhood Watch, Police Community Relations Committee meetings).
- The timely sharing of credible and actionable information.
- Embracing a collective responsibility for public safety, where security is seen as everyone’s business.
He concluded by reiterating his fundamental commitment to the protection of lives and property in Gombe State—the primary mandate of the police force.
Analysis: The appointment of CP Umar Chuso represents both continuity and potential shift. His emphasis on community policing aligns with the broader reform agenda of the Nigeria Police Force. His success will largely depend on his ability to translate this philosophy into tangible, visible actions that reduce crime rates, increase public trust, and foster a genuine sense of partnership between the people of Gombe and the police command under his leadership. His prior experience in Nasarawa will be his playbook, but adapting those strategies to Gombe’s unique socio-political landscape will be his immediate test.
(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
UP/ RSA
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Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali
