IGP Egbetokun Commissions 31 Police Combat GunBoats To Reinforce Safety, Security On Waterways • Re-echoes commitment to maritime safety

IGP Egbetokun Commissions 31 Police Combat GunBoats To Reinforce Safety, Security On Waterways • Re-echoes commitment to maritime safety

By Oki Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper

 

 

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun today June 5th 2025, commissioned 31 newly acquired operational gun boats for the Nigeria Police Marine Unit marking a significant investment in maritime security aimed at enhancing the Unit’s capacity to combat crime, protect waterways, and ensure the safety and security of citizens and critical infrastructure within Nigeria’s maritime domain, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report.

The event which held at the Marine Police, Lagos Command had dignitaries from both within and outside the Police management team. They include senior police officers like the DIG (Operations), DIG Yakubu Kwazi; AIG Zone 2, AIG Adegoke Fayoade; AIG PMF, AIG Funsho Adegboye; AIG of SPU, AIG Tunji Rilwan Disu; and the Force Marine Officer, ACP Chima Ogarashi. Other dignitaries were government officials from various Maritime agencies, the CEO of Sensor and Safety Ltd, Chief Oguntade Majekodunmi, who was ably represented by Mr Babalola Tunde; representatives from the Nigeria Maritime Administration; Safety Agency (NIMASA); Assistant Head of Operations, LASWA, Mr. Ibrahim Oladayo representing the General Manager of LASWA, Mr. Emmanuel Oluwadamilola among others.

 

In his remarks, IGP Kayode Egbetokun buttressed that the milestone effort is a strategic response of the Force to the evolving security dynamics in our maritime environment. The deployment of these assets is a symbol of our renewed drive to strengthen our maritime policing architecture, counter emerging threats, reinforce our rescue and patrol operations.

The newly commissioned gun boats which are equipped with cutting-edge navigation and communication technologies, comes as follow up to the IGP’s assurances on maritime security which he gave during the visit of the CEO of the Nigerian Shippers Council to the Force Headquarters earlier this week.

 

Further, the IGP reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to working in collaboration with other security agencies and stakeholders to ensure the safety and security of Nigeria’s maritime environment. He charged officers of the Force Marine Unit to put the gun boats to good use towards combating economic sabotage and ensuring our waterways are safe for smooth port operations.

Speaking at the event, Assistant Head of Operations, Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA, Mr. Ibrahim Oladayo representing the General Manager of LASWA, Mr. Emmanuel Oluwadamilola remarked: ‘I want to congratulate the Nigerian Police Force for this laudable project because there’s no way we can improve these waterways without safety and security. In Lagos Waterways Authority, our objective is to develop and improve the entire waterway. We are open for partnership. God continues to bless Nigeria. God continues to bless Lagos.’

 

Mr Akinrinade Morakinyo: said: ‘Thank you IGP Egbetokun for this wonderful support to the command of Nigerian Marine Police here in Lagos. It’s a testament to the fact that Nigeria is doing well as regards protection of lives and property especially on the waterways. With this, we know that our men of Marine Police Force will be able to discharge their duties effectively. We can be well assured that people can travel on our waterways without entertaining any fear as the Nigerian Constitution guarantees that the primary responsibility of any government is protection of lives and property. What you have done here today will go a long way to let the citizens have confidence in our mandate to protect lives and properties.’

 

‘We thank you sir. We thank all our men who are going to be in charge of ensuring these operational assets are deployed to effective use. Thank you sir and on behalf of my permanent secretary, the Chief of Staff Mr. Tayo Ayinde, Mr. Governor and Lagos State government, I say well done sir and we pray that God Almighty will continue to be with you and bless our nation.’

 

Also, Barrister Uche Nwanmadu who spoke on behalf of his boss: ‘Being a strategic partner of the Nigeria Police, we want to congratulate Nigeria Police for living up to expectations and most importantly in the area of protection of lives and properties in Nigeria. We will continue to do the best like we have done in the past, to be a strategic partner in making this nation move forward. Once more we pray that God will  bless this nation and bless all the officers that God is using to protect the nation.’