The Rivers and Bayelsa State Police Commands have commenced joint patrols and bush-clearing operations along the boundary between the two states as part of efforts to strengthen security and prevent criminal activities.
The operation is being carried out in compliance with a directive by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, to intensify security operations and clear areas suspected to be used as hideouts by criminals.
The joint border patrol was led by the Commissioners of Police in Rivers and Bayelsa States, CP Olugbenga Adepoju and CP Ajao Adewale, respectively.
Speaking with journalists during the operation, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, said the exercise was aimed at identifying and clearing potential security threats along the boundary while denying criminals safe havens.
Adepoju also said the Inspector-General of Police had directed police formations across the country to avoid unnecessary roadblocks and instead intensify effective and robust patrols.
On his part, the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao Adewale, described the operation as a joint effort to prevent criminals from accessing bushy areas along the boundary between the two states.
Today FM’s correspondent reports that both commissioners personally led their personnel in combing several bushy areas around boundary communities suspected to be used as hideouts by criminals.
