The Inspector -General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun on Thursday, commissioned 31 newly acquired operational gun boats for the police Marine Unit in Lagos State.
The commissioning signifies a major step in the strategic efforts of the police to combat crime on Nigeria’s waterways and enhance the safety of maritime operations.
The new fleet is part of a broader initiative by the police to address evolving threats in the maritime sector and protect critical national infrastructure.
The gun boats, equipped with advanced navigation and communication systems, are expected to significantly improve patrol, rescue, and anti-sabotage operations along Nigeria’s inland and coastal waters.
Present at the event were top-ranking police officers and the representatives from key maritime agencies, such as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
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Egbetokun emphasized that the commissioning of the gun boats reflects the strategic response of the police to Nigeria’s maritime security challenges.
“This milestone represents our renewed drive to strengthen the policing of Nigeria’s waterways, counter emerging threats, and support economic growth by safeguarding port and maritime operations,” he stated.
The initiative follows the Egbetokun’s earlier engagement with the Nigerian Shippers Council, during which he reassured stakeholders of the dedication of the police to maritime safety and collaboration.
“Today’s commissioning is a direct follow-up to those assurances, marking visible action toward securing the nation’s blue economy,” the inspector-general of police added.
Egbetokun urged officers of the Force Marine Unit to deploy the gun boats effectively to tackle economic sabotage and secure Nigeria’s waterways.
He also reaffirmed the commitment of the police to working alongside other security agencies and industry stakeholders in creating a safe maritime environment.
The deployment of the 31 new gun boats is expected to play a crucial role in the ongoing operations of the police to ensure peace, safety, and economic stability across the country’s maritime domain.
