A’Ibom, Rivers CPs unite to tackle piracy, kidnapping, cultism

The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare and his counterpart in Rivers State CP Olugbenga Adepoju, has held a high-level security engagement aimed at tackling cross border crimes.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Command, DSP Timfon John, in Uyo on Wednesday.

John said the meeting was held to strengthen inter-state security cooperation and operational synergy to fight cross boundary threats.

The statement read, “The historic engagement underscores the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to strengthening inter-command collaboration, fostering intelligence-led policing, and sustaining coordinated operational strategies aimed at effectively tackling crimes that transcend state boundaries.

“The meeting provided an opportunity for both Commissioners of Police to critically assess prevailing security dynamics along the shared border communities, identify emerging threats, and develop practical frameworks for enhanced operational cooperation.

“Discussions centred on improving real-time intelligence sharing, synchronising crime prevention strategies, coordinating tactical operations, enhancing rapid response capabilities, and ensuring seamless communication between Divisional Police Officers, Area Commanders, Tactical Commanders and other operational units within both Commands.”

The two commissioners while recognising that criminal elements often exploit jurisdictional boundaries to evade law enforcement, resolved to deny criminals safe havens through sustained joint operations, coordinated patrols, strategic stop-and-search exercises, intelligence-driven raids and continuous surveillance of identified flashpoints.

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They further agreed to strengthen collaboration in combating armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, sea piracy, illegal arms trafficking, trafficking in persons, pipeline vandalism and other organised crimes capable of threatening the peace and security of both states.

The Commissioners also resolved to institutionalise regular strategic engagements between the two Commands, ensuring continuous review of security architecture, exchange of actionable intelligence, and prompt operational responses to emerging security concerns.

This collaborative framework is expected to significantly enhance public safety, improve response time to criminal incidents, and reinforce confidence in the capacity of the Nigeria Police Force to effectively protect lives and property.

The commissioners while reaffirming that security remains a collective responsibility, emphasised that no effort will be spared in ensuring that criminal networks operating across both states are dismantled through intelligence-driven policing, professionalism, and unwavering operational commitment.

They further reiterated that the Nigeria Police Force remains united, resolute, and fully committed to implementing the directives of the Inspector-General of Police on inter-agency cooperation, proactive policing, intelligence-led operations and community-focused security management as critical pillars for achieving sustainable peace and public safety across the country.

They called on residents of Akwa Ibom and Rivers States, particularly those residing within border communities, to continue supporting the Police by remaining vigilant and promptly providing credible and timely information that will assist security agencies in preventing crime and apprehending criminal elements.

They assured the public that all information received will be treated with utmost confidentiality and acted upon with professionalism.