Commissioners of Police in Akwa Ibom and Rivers States join forces to combat maritime crime, abduction and gang violence.

The Commissioner of Police for Akwa Ibom State, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, and his counterpart in Rivers State, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, recently convened a high-level security meeting to address cross-border crimes.

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This development was announced in a statement released by DSP Timfon John, the Public Relations Officer for the Akwa Ibom State Command, in Uyo on Wednesday.

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The primary objective of the meeting was to bolster inter-state security cooperation and operational synergy to combat cross-boundary threats, according to John.

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The engagement underscored the Nigeria Police Force's unwavering commitment to strengthening inter-command collaboration, fostering intelligence-led policing, and implementing coordinated operational strategies to tackle crimes that transcend state boundaries.

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The meeting provided a platform for the two Commissioners of Police to critically assess prevailing security dynamics along the shared border communities and identify emerging threats.

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They also developed practical frameworks for enhanced operational cooperation, with discussions focusing on improving real-time intelligence sharing and synchronising crime prevention strategies.

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The commissioners recognised that criminal elements often exploit jurisdictional boundaries to evade law enforcement and resolved to deny them safe havens through sustained joint operations and coordinated patrols.

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They agreed to strengthen collaboration in combating various organised crimes, including armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, sea piracy, and pipeline vandalism, among others.

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The Commissioners resolved to institutionalise regular strategic engagements between the two Commands to ensure continuous review of security architecture and prompt operational responses to emerging security concerns.

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

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The commissioners reaffirmed that security remains a collective responsibility and emphasised that no effort will be spared in dismantling criminal networks operating across both states through intelligence-driven policing and professionalism.

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They reiterated the Nigeria Police Force's commitment to implementing the Inspector-General of Police's directives on inter-agency cooperation, proactive policing, and community-focused security management to achieve sustainable peace and public safety.

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The commissioners called on residents of Akwa Ibom and Rivers States, particularly those residing within border communities, to support the Police by remaining vigilant and providing credible and timely information to prevent crime and apprehend criminal elements.

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