Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has thrown his weight behind the Nigeria Police Force’s newly introduced Operation Handshake Patrol, describing it as a strategic initiative that will strengthen security across border communities and eliminate criminal hideouts.
He said the initiative, introduced by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, would improve security surveillance in border areas.
He said this would be by allowing security personnel to pursue criminals across state boundaries without jurisdictional limitations.
According to Alia, the operation is expected to end the practice of criminals escaping into neighbouring states after carrying out attacks, stressing that determined and coordinated security efforts would deny offenders safe havens.
He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting security agencies with the resources needed to maintain peace and protect lives and property across Benue State.
Alia’s endorsement followed a joint security meeting held last Thursday at the Ankpa Local Government Conference Hall, where the Commissioners of Police for Benue and Kogi states officially launched the Operation Handshake Patrol Taskforce.
This was contained in a statement issued by Governor Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, on Friday
According to the statement, the taskforce was established to enhance security collaboration between the two states and safeguard residents living in border communities.
Speaking at the meeting, Benue State Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwudiogbu, and his Kogi counterpart, Naziru Bello Kankarofi, said the initiative was implemented in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police to dismantle criminal networks operating around the borders by removing jurisdictional barriers.
Nwudiogbu explained that the operation empowers officers from both state commands to conduct coordinated patrols and pursue suspected bandits, terrorists and other criminals across the forests and border areas of Benue and Kogi without restrictions.
He added that residents have also been provided with proper channels to report security concerns, urging citizens to cooperate with law enforcement instead of taking the law into their own hands.
On his part, Kankarofi described the taskforce as a practical demonstration of the strong partnership between the two police commands aimed at making border communities safer for law-abiding citizens.
He appealed to the governments of Benue and Kogi states to provide adequate logistics to ensure effective patrol operations while urging officers to maintain professionalism and work closely with local communities for intelligence gathering.
Kankarofi expressed confidence that residents would soon witness positive results from the collaboration and commended Governors of Benue and Kogi States for prioritising the security of their people.
Also speaking, the Commander of the 21 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ankpa, Lieutenant Colonel J.S. Monde, assured that the military would continue to support the police and other security agencies in restoring peace across the border communities.
He urged members of the public to provide credible and timely intelligence to security agencies to strengthen efforts against criminal activities.
