Police Take Over Benue, Kogi Forests

The Kogi and Benue State Police Commands have intensified inter-state security collaboration with a joint “Handshake Patrol” along their shared boundary to strengthen intelligence sharing and tackle cross-boundary criminal activities.

The exercise, led by the Commissioners of Police of the two states, Naziru Bello Kankarofi and Cletus C. N. Nwadiogbu, took place on Thursday in Ankpa, a border community in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The patrol formed part of ongoing efforts to deepen operational cooperation between the neighbouring commands and improve responses to security threats along the Kogi-Benue border corridor.

The event attracted traditional rulers from border communities, the Benue State Border Commissioner, Surveyor Solomon Adaga, Senior Special Assistant to the Kogi State Governor on Security, Ahmed Mohammed, representatives of sister security agencies, the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Fulani community leaders, youth groups and other stakeholders.

Addressing the gathering, the two police commissioners reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to protecting lives and property through intelligence-led policing and stronger collaboration with communities and other security agencies.

They stressed that state boundaries would not be allowed to serve as safe havens for criminal elements, assuring residents that both commands would sustain coordinated patrols, joint security operations and intelligence sharing to curb cross-boundary crimes.

The commissioners also urged residents to support security agencies with timely and credible information, warning communities against harbouring criminals.

They further held strategic discussions with stakeholders on prevailing security challenges and measures to strengthen responses to emerging threats, while participants pledged continued support for peace-building and crime prevention initiatives.

The high point of the exercise was a symbolic handshake between the two commissioners at the Kogi-Benue boundary, signifying renewed commitment to operational synergy and a united front against criminal activities across state lines.

The commissioners commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for promoting inter-command collaboration nationwide. They also appreciated the governors of Kogi and Benue states for their continued support to security agencies in maintaining peace and security.

The Kogi State Police Command reiterated its resolve to sustain collaboration with its Benue counterpart and other stakeholders in combating criminality, urging residents to remain vigilant and continue providing useful information to security agencies.

According to the command, the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to deploying proactive security strategies and strengthening partnerships to guarantee lasting peace, security and public confidence across both states.

Meanwhile, Benue State governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has lauded the launch of Operation Handshake Patrol idea of the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, expressing the hope that it will enhance security checks at border areas and dislodge criminal havens.

In a statement issued by the governor’s chief press secretary, Tersoo Kula, Alia said that with the determination and sincerity of personnel, a situation where criminals use a neighbouring state as haven after committing mayhem in another state will become a thing of the past.

Alia pledged to sustain his special attention on supporting security agencies to secure Benue State.