By: Abdullahi Inuwa
UYO — Criminals operating along the Akwa Ibom-Rivers boundary have been put on notice following a renewed security alliance between the two state Police Commands aimed at dismantling cross-border crime and denying offenders any hiding place.
In a bold demonstration of inter-state cooperation, the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, met with his Rivers State counterpart, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, on Tuesday at the common boundary between both states to chart a new course for tackling crimes that spill across state lines.
The strategic meeting comes amid growing concerns that criminal syndicates are increasingly exploiting jurisdictional boundaries to evade arrest after carrying out attacks, kidnappings and other violent crimes.
Determined to end the trend, the two police chiefs unveiled plans for sustained joint security operations, intelligence-driven policing and coordinated tactical responses designed to keep criminals constantly on the run.
The Commissioners agreed to deepen real-time intelligence sharing, harmonise operational strategies and strengthen communication among Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and tactical units to ensure swift responses to security threats in border communities.
They also resolved to embark on regular joint patrols, intelligence-led raids, stop-and-search operations and round-the-clock surveillance of identified flashpoints to prevent criminal elements from using the border as an escape corridor.
The renewed partnership will target a wide range of offences, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, sea piracy, illegal arms trafficking, human trafficking, pipeline vandalism and other organised crimes threatening the security and economic wellbeing of both states.
Both police chiefs stressed that the era of criminals taking advantage of state boundaries to frustrate law enforcement is coming to an end, insisting that seamless collaboration between neighbouring Commands remains one of the most effective weapons against organised crime.
To sustain the momentum, the Commissioners agreed to institutionalise periodic security meetings that will allow both Commands to continuously assess emerging threats, exchange actionable intelligence and coordinate prompt operational responses.
They reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the Inspector-General of Police’s directives on intelligence-led policing, proactive crime prevention and stronger collaboration among Police Commands nationwide.
Calling on residents to support ongoing security efforts, the Commissioners urged people living in border communities to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and criminal activities to the Police.
They assured the public that all information received would be treated with the highest level of confidentiality and acted upon professionally.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command described the renewed partnership as a major milestone in safeguarding lives and property, expressing confidence that the strengthened alliance would make the shared boundary between Akwa Ibom and Rivers States increasingly hostile to criminal elements while promoting lasting peace and public safety.
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