Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has pledged full backing for a new joint security initiative Operation Handshake Patrol designed to tighten policing and curb cross‑border crime between Benue and Kogi states.
Alia’s spokesperson, Tersoo Kula, said the governor views the operation as a practical step toward eliminating criminal hideouts along the shared border and ending the long‑standing pattern of offenders committing crimes in one state and fleeing into another to avoid arrest. The governor described the initiative, conceived by Inspector‑General of Police Olatunji Disu, as a mandate that allows officers to move freely across both states’ boundaries while searching forests and suspected enclaves.
The operation was formally launched during a joint security meeting in Ankpa, Kogi State, where the commissioners of police for both states Cletus Nwadiogbu of Benue and Naziru Kankarofi of Kogi affirmed that removing jurisdictional barriers will allow officers to pursue suspects without interruption. Both commands have also opened new channels for residents to report threats or suspicious activity.
Kankarofi called the collaboration a clear sign of shared responsibility to protect border communities and urged both governors to provide the logistics needed to sustain continuous patrols. He encouraged officers to maintain professionalism and deepen cooperation with local residents, expressing confidence that communities will soon see measurable improvements.
Military support has also been pledged. Lt. Col. J.S. Monde, commander of the Nigerian Army’s 21 Brigade in Ankpa, said the army will continue working alongside police units to secure the region. He appealed to residents to supply timely, credible information to help security agencies disrupt criminal networks.
