Edo, Kogi Police Intensify Border Security to Tackle Kidnapping on Okene-Auchi Road

The Edo and Kogi State Police Commands have agreed to strengthen operational collaboration and intelligence sharing to tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities along the Okene-Auchi Expressway.

The decision followed a border security meeting between the Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Patrick Daaor, and his Kogi counterpart, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, in Okene on Thursday, August 13, 2026.

Daaor, who visited the Edo-Kogi border with the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations and the Area Commanders of Auchi and Agenebode, was received by Kankarofi alongside senior police officers, the Chairman of Okene Local Government Area and other stakeholders.

The meeting focused on the security situation around communities along the border and the need for both commands to improve intelligence gathering, coordinate operations and maintain a sustained security presence on vulnerable routes.

The two commissioners also entered the Okene forest, which shares a boundary with the Okpella axis of Edo State, to assess the terrain and identify routes that could be exploited by kidnappers and other criminals.

The assessment, according to the Edo State Police Command, is expected to assist the commands in improving operational planning and coordinating security operations along the border corridor.

Speaking during the engagement with residents of Oguda community in Okene, Daaor listened to their complaints and security concerns and assured them that the police would sustain measures aimed at addressing identified threats.

“The Command remains committed to strengthening collaboration with neighbouring Police Commands and other security stakeholders, particularly in securing the borders and denying criminal elements access to safe havens from where they can carry out their activities.”

Daaor also called on residents of border communities to support the police by providing credible and timely information that could help security agencies detect and prevent criminal activities.

“We will continue to work closely with the communities and other security stakeholders because timely and credible intelligence remains critical to our efforts to identify criminal elements, prevent attacks and ensure the safety of residents along this border corridor.”

The commissioner reiterated his determination to tackle criminal activities in Edo State, particularly those involving kidnapping and the use of border areas as hideouts.