The Ondo and Edo Police commands have begun a ‘joint clearance operation’ on the border communities of the two states to dislodge criminal elements and destroy their hideouts in the flashpoints area.
The operation, which started yesterday, is being led by the Police Commissioner in Ondo,.Felix Ohagwu, in collaboration with his Edo State counterpart, Patrick Daaor.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer in Ondo, Jimoh Abayomi, the exercise involves tactical teams drawn from both commands and would be sustained.
Abayomi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the operation is focused on the Ondo-Edo border axis, particularly Ala, Ifon, Okelusi and other identified flashpoints and adjoining communities believed to be vulnerable to criminal activities.
He also said the operation comprised intelligence-led patrols, coordinated raids, surveillance and targeted clearance of identified criminal flashpoints and suspected hideouts.
Abayomi added that the exercise is also aimed at disrupting the movement and infiltration of criminal elements across the two states while curbing cross-border criminal activities and also strengthening security.
‘The operation was in line with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, which emphasises intelligence-driven policing, inter-command collaboration, proactive crime prevention and sustained efforts to rid communities of criminal activities,’ the statement added.
Ohagwu assured residents of the border communities of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
He urged community leaders, residents and other stakeholders to remain vigilant and provide credible and timely information that could assist the police in identifying, tracking and apprehending criminals.
‘The fight against crime is a collective responsibility,’ Ohagwu said.
He assured the residents that the joint operation would be sustained with the objective of making the Ondo-Edo border corridor safer and increasingly hostile to criminals and their activities.
Ohagwu, however, called for continued cooperation from residents and other stakeholders to ensure the success of the operation.