The Ondo and Edo State Police Commands have commenced a joint clearance operation along the Ondo-Edo border axis to flush out criminal elements and dismantle their operational bases in border communities.

The operation, which commenced on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, is being led and supervised by the Commissioners of Police in Ondo and Edo states, CP Felix Ohagwu and CP Patrick Daaor, respectively.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the operation covers Ala, Ifon, Okelusi and adjoining areas.

Jimoh said the exercise involves tactical teams from both commands conducting intelligence-led patrols, coordinated raids, surveillance operations and targeted clearance of identified criminal flashpoints and suspected hideouts.

He said the operation was aimed at disrupting the movement and infiltration of criminal elements across the two states while strengthening security and protecting residents of border communities.

The joint operation, according to the statement, is also in line with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, which emphasises intelligence-driven policing, inter-command collaboration and proactive crime prevention.CP Ohagwu assured residents of the affected communities of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, while urging community leaders, residents and other stakeholders to remain vigilant.

He appealed to residents to provide credible and timely information that could assist the police in identifying, tracking and apprehending criminal elements.

The Ondo State Police Command said the operation would be sustained, with the objective of making the Ondo-Edo border corridor safer and increasingly hostile to criminal activities.The command also reiterated that the fight against crime requires the collective efforts of security agencies, community leaders and residents.