By Evelyn Usman

The Inspector-General of Police , IGP Kayode Egbetokun has emphasized the importance of bolstering operational capabilities across the nation’s waterways, backwaters, inland channels, and coastal regions.

To achieve this, he inaugurated 31 state of the art combat gun boats on Thursday, at the Marine Police Command, Ikoyi, Lagos, to enhance maritime policing and improve security and response times in these critical areas.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of the 31 gun boats, IGP Egbetokun , said the  deployment of the assets marked a significant milestone in the Police Force’s strategic response to evolving security dynamics in the maritime environment.

According to him,  “These gunboats are not ordinary vessels. They are equipped with cutting-edge navigation and communication technologies, enabling precision patrols, effective coordination, and swift responses to threats across Nigeria’s vast aquatic territory. Notably, the integration of solar-powered systems underscores the Force’s commitment to sustainable policing and global best practices in green energy utilization. This initiative reduces our carbon footprint and demonstrates the Nigeria Police Force’s leadership in environmentally responsible law enforcement.”

The IGP emphasized that the event marked a new chapter in the collective determination to safeguard Nigeria’s waterways, secure lives and property, and reassure law-abiding citizens of their safety and security.

 While  nothing that securing Nigeria was a collaborative effort, particularly in maritime security, Egbetokun  assured that the Police would continue to deepen its collaboration with sister security agencies, including the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), among others.

 This partnership, he said, would enable the Force to leverage collective expertise and resources to combat emerging security challenges.

He also highlighted the importance of intelligence-led policing and community engagement in effective crime prevention. The Police, he added, would partner with coastal communities, leverage local intelligence, and build mutual trust to deny criminals the operating space they seek.

“This approach will enable the Force to stay ahead of criminal networks and ensure the safety and security of citizens. These newly commissioned gunboats are testament  of  President Bola Tinubu’s  commitment to empowering the Force to fulfill its constitutional mandate of securing the nation and protecting its citizens”, he said

In his goodwill message, Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, Tayo Ayinde, applauded the initiative, describing it as capable of addressing acts of criminality in the backwaters.

 The representative of the Waterways Inland Authority, Mr. Ibrahim Oladewo, corroborated the Chief of Staff’s position, stating that it was part of a plan to address immediate and future maritime crimes.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Maritime Command, DC Obasi Chuckwuemeka, expressed gratitude to IGP Egbetokun for his support and transformative leadership. He noted that under the IGP’s stewardship, the Marine Police had witnessed a renewed sense of purpose and capacity, enabling it to effectively discharge its duties.

DC Obasi highlighted the recent donation of six brand new gunboats to the Marine Police in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as well as the approval of offshore duties aimed at enhancing the visibility and relevance of the Marine Police, as proof of the IGP’s commitment to strengthening the Marine Police’s presence on the waterways.

He reminded marine officers who would be entrusted with the vessels, that “You are the frontline of our operational success. I urge you to uphold the highest standards of discipline, patriotism, and professionalism as you take on this critical responsibility.”