The Commissioners of Police for Akwa Ibom and Rivers states have pledged closer collaboration to combat cross-border crime and strengthen security along the boundary shared by both states.
The meeting, held as part of efforts to enhance inter-state security cooperation, was disclosed in a statement issued Wednesday by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Timfon John.
According to the statement, Akwa Ibom Commissioner of Police Baba Mohammed Azare and his Rivers State counterpart, Olugbenga Adepoju, met to strengthen intelligence-led policing and improve coordinated operations against crimes that cut across state boundaries.
The discussions focused on reviewing security challenges in border communities, identifying emerging threats and developing strategies to improve operational cooperation between the two commands.
The commissioners agreed to enhance real-time intelligence sharing, coordinate crime prevention strategies, improve rapid response capabilities and strengthen communication among divisional police officers, area commanders, tactical commanders and other operational units.
The statement said the police chiefs acknowledged that criminal groups often exploit jurisdictional boundaries to evade law enforcement and resolved to deny them safe havens through sustained joint operations, coordinated patrols, intelligence-driven raids, strategic stop-and-search operations and increased surveillance of identified flashpoints.
They also agreed to strengthen collaboration in tackling armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, sea piracy, illegal arms trafficking, human trafficking, pipeline vandalism and other forms of organised crime.
The commissioners further resolved to institutionalise regular strategic meetings between both commands to continuously review security operations, exchange actionable intelligence and respond promptly to emerging threats.
According to the statement, the initiative is expected to improve public safety, enhance response times to criminal incidents and strengthen public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.
The police chiefs reaffirmed their commitment to intelligence-driven policing, professionalism and sustained operations to dismantle criminal networks operating across both states.
They also reiterated the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to implementing the directives of the Inspector-General of Police on inter-agency collaboration, proactive policing, intelligence-led operations and community-based security management.
The commissioners urged residents of Akwa Ibom and Rivers states, particularly those living in border communities, to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information to help prevent crime and arrest criminal suspects.
They assured the public that all information received would be treated confidentially and acted upon professionally.
