The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Mamman Giwa, has called for sustained interstate operational synergy between the Enugu and Benue police commands to tackle crimes across the two states.

Giwa made the call during his routine patrol through Udenu, the Enugu-Opi-Nsukka Road and the Enugu-Benue boundary, where he met the Otukpa Area Commander, Benue State Command, ACP Cosmas Eze.

The commissioner charged Eze and the Udenu Area Commander, ACP Stephen Abiaziem, to sustain the existing collaboration through the Handshake Patrol initiative of the Nigeria Police Force.

The initiative was introduced by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

Giwa said collaboration between adjoining state commands was a key strategy for tackling contemporary and complex crimes.

He urged the two area commanders to maximise the opportunities provided by the Handshake Patrol initiative.

The commissioner also visited the Udenu, Umabor and Unity Police Divisions, where he charged Divisional Police Officers and other personnel to uphold professionalism, respect citizens’ rights and treat members of the public courteously.

At the Enugu-Opi-Nsukka Road, Giwa interacted with operatives of the Distress Response Squad (DRS) and warned them against extortion and other forms of corruption.

He also reminded Charge Room Officers (CROs) and other personnel that they were the first point of contact for members of the public visiting police stations and must, therefore, project the image and values of the Nigeria Police Force.

Giwa said the routine patrols and supervisory visits were in line with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police.

He said the exercises were aimed at strengthening proactive and intelligence-led policing, preventing crime, boosting public confidence and enhancing professionalism.

The commissioner was accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Gregory Itobore; the Commanding Officer, No. 3 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Enugu, ACP Azeez Idowu; the Commander, Distress Response Squad (DRS), ACP Kelvin Aiyegbusi; and the Head, Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), CSP Henry Imo.

Others were the Head, Anti-Kidnapping Sub-Unit of the VCRU, CSP Chukwuka Odum; the Commanding Officer, Counter Terrorism Unit, SP Uju Okeke; and the Head, Anti-Cultism Sub-Unit of the VCRU, DSP Isaac Odogwu, among other officers and men.