Governor Hyacinth Alia has thrown his weight behind the newly launched Operation Handshake Patrol, describing it as a strategic security initiative capable of tightening surveillance around border communities and dismantling criminal hideouts across Benue and Kogi States.
Reacting to the initiative, Governor Alia commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for the idea behind the operation, expressing confidence that it would strengthen security checks in border areas and deny criminal elements safe havens.
He noted that the task force, designed to operate without jurisdictional limitations, would enable security operatives to comb forests and other difficult terrains around the borders in search of criminal hideouts.
Governor Alia said “the success of the operation would depend largely on the commitment and sincerity of the personnel involved,” stressing that the era of criminals committing atrocities in one state and escaping into neighbouring states for refuge must come to an end.
He also pledged continued support for security agencies in Benue State to ensure the protection of lives and property.
The Governor’s endorsement followed a joint security meeting held last Thursday at the Ankpa Local Government Conference Hall in Kogi State, where the Commissioners of Police for Benue and Kogi states announced the establishment of the joint task force.
According to the police authorities, “the initiative is aimed at safeguarding residents of border communities in both states and improving coordinated responses to cross-border crimes.”
The Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr Cletus Nwudiogbu, and his Kogi State counterpart, Mr Naziru Bello Kankarofi said “the formation of the task force was in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that border communities no longer serve as safe corridors for criminals.”
They explained that the operation was specifically designed to break jurisdictional barriers that often hinder prompt pursuit of criminal suspects across state lines.
Nwudiogbu explained that “the two police commands had effectively taken the fight against insecurity into the forests and other flashpoints within the Benue-Kogi axis,” warning that there would no longer be any hiding place for bandits, terrorists and other criminal elements operating between the two states.
He noted that the commands had also created channels through which residents could report security concerns instead of resorting to self-help, assuring that the police remained committed to restoring peace in affected communities.
On his part, Kankarofi described the initiative as a practical demonstration of the shared commitment of both police commands to strengthen security collaboration and keep border communities safe for law-abiding citizens.
He appealed to the Governors of Benue and Kogi states to provide the logistics needed for effective patrol operations and charged officers involved in the operation to remain professional in the discharge of their duties.
The Kogi Police Commissioner further urged security personnel to work closely with host communities by allowing local intelligence to guide operations for more effective policing.
He expressed optimism that residents of both states would soon begin to see concrete results from the collaboration, while also commending Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State for their commitment to the safety of their people.
Also speaking, Commander of 21 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ankpa, Lieutenant Colonel J.S. Monde, assured that the military would continue to support the police and other sister security agencies in efforts to secure peace in border communities.
He called on members of the public to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to aid ongoing operations against criminal elements.
