Governor Hyacinth Alia has pledged support for the ‘Operation Handshake Patrol’ of the Benue-Kogi joint security operations, aimed at improving security in the border communities of both states.

Tersoo Kula, chief press secretary to Mr Alia, stated this in a statement on Friday in Makurdi.

According to the governor, the joint task force will strengthen security checks and dismantle criminal enclaves operating around the border areas.

He expressed confidence that the operation would end the practice of criminals committing offences in a state and escaping to neighbouring states to evade arrest.

According to him, the task force conceived by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, will allow security personnel to comb forests and other suspected criminal hideouts along the Benue-Kogi border, without jurisdictional limitations.

Mr Alia pledged sustained support for security agencies, saying his administration would continue to provide the necessary assistance to ensure the safety of lives and property in Benue.

The governor’s remarks followed a joint security meeting held on Thursday in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi, where the commissioners of police for Benue and Kogi formally launched the ‘Operation Handshake Patrol’.

The Commissioner of Police in Benue, Cletus Nwadiogbu and his Kogi counterpart, Naziru Kankarofi, said the task force was established in line with the directive of the police boss.

Mr Nwadiogbu said the operation removed jurisdictional barriers that often hindered the pursuit of criminals, enabling police personnel from either state to pursue and arrest suspects who crossed state boundaries after committing crimes.

According to him, the two commands have also created channels through which residents can report security concerns, assuring that the police will remain committed to restoring lasting peace in the affected communities.

Mr Kankarofi described the initiative as a demonstration of the shared commitment of both commands to strengthen border security and protect law-abiding residents.

He appealed to the governors of Benue and Kogi to provide adequate logistics to sustain effective patrols.

He urged officers participating in the operation to maintain professionalism and work closely with host communities.

He also expressed optimism that residents would soon witness tangible results from the collaboration and commended the governors of both states for supporting efforts to improve security.

The commander of the 21 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ankpa, Lt.-Col. J.S. Monde assured that the military would continue to support the police and other security agencies in securing the border communities.

Mr Monde also urged residents to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to enhance efforts at tackling criminal activities.

(NAN)