Edo, Ondo Police Strengthen Border Security, Seek Community Support Against Crime

By Rosemary Okoduwa

The Edo and Ondo State Police Commands have intensified collaboration to tackle crime along their border communities, as the Commissioners of Police, Patrick Daaor and Felix Ohagwu, led a joint “handshake patrol” across key border areas.

The patrol, in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, was aimed at strengthening security cooperation and preventing criminals from exploiting the state boundaries as escape routes.

The exercise began at Sobe, an Edo border community, and proceeded to Ogbese in Ondo State, where the police teams were received by community elders led by Chief Okogun Oshokeluse.

CP Daaor said the collaboration was part of efforts to ensure the safety of residents and businesses in border communities. He called for stronger cooperation among the police, Nigerian Army, Edo State Security Corps, Edo State Security Vigilante Network, hunters and community leaders.

He said the commands would ensure that residents have direct contact with Divisional Police Officers and Area Commanders in nearby areas to facilitate rapid response to security threats.
“We are integrating communities in Edo and Ondo to partner effectively with security agencies and ensure that citizens can carry out their businesses without fear,” Daaor said.

His Ondo counterpart, CP Felix Ohagwu, disclosed that both commands had commenced a joint operation, codenamed “Flushing Out Criminal Elements from Edo and Ondo State Forests.”

Ohagwu said security agencies had identified three criminal camps in the forests and deployed personnel to flush out the occupants. He added that the Ogbese River, which separates parts of the two states, had been identified as an escape route for criminals, making the joint operation critical to blocking exit routes.

The Edo Police Commissioner also visited the palace of the Odibiado of Sobe Kingdom, HRH Anthony Ero Aleburu, to seek traditional rulers’ support for strengthened security in the border areas.