‘We’ll Continue To Protect You’ — IGP Assures Nigerians

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr Olukayode Egbetokun, on Thursday, reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the country, particularly on the nation’s waterways.

This assurance came during the commissioning ceremony of 31 state-of-the-art combat gun boats in Lagos State.

Speaking at the event, the IGP described the unveiling of the new gun boats as a “significant milestone”.

“I assure you of the unflinching dedication of the Nigeria Police Force to our constitutional responsibilities.

“We will continue to strive, with courage and integrity,to protect you, to defend the territorial integrity of our nation, and to ensure that Nigeria remains safe for all,” Egbetokun said.

He noted that the deployment of the gun boats is a strategic response to the evolving security dynamics in Nigeria’s maritime environment.

“This significant milestone reflects our strategic response 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, and reinforce our rescue and patrol operations.

“These gun boats are not ordinary vessels. They are fitted with cutting-edge navigation and communication technologies, which will enable precision patrol, effective coordination, and swift response to threats across Nigeria’s vast aquatic territory,” Egbetokun said.

A notable feature of the new boats is the integration of solar-powered systems, which, according to the IGP, demonstrates the Police Force’s commitment to environmentally responsible policing.

“This initiative not only reduces our carbon footprint but also demonstrates the NigeriaPoliceForce’s leadership in environmentally responsible law enforcement,” he added.

Egbetokun emphasized the need for collaboration among security agencies to ensure effective maritime security, highlighting the importance of working with the Armed Forces, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), among others.

“Let me use this opportunity to reiterate that securing Nigeria is a collaborative effort. Maritime security, in particular, demands synergy and coordination across agencies and stakeholders,” he said.

“we recognize that intelligence-led policing and community engagement remain cornerstones of effective crime prevention.Therefore, we shall continue to partner closely with coastal communities, leverage local intelligence,and build mutual trust in order to deny criminals the operating space they seek.”

Egbetokun expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his administration’s continued investment in the police force.

He credited the procurement of the new gun boats to the President’s support for reforms aimed at transforming the Nigeria Police into a modern and professional law enforcement institution.

“Under Mr. President’s visionary leadership, the Nigeria Police is experiencing a transformation marked by reform, modernization,and professional excellence.

“These newly commissioned gun boats are a testament to his administration’s commitment to empowering the Force to fulfill its constitutional mandate of securing the nation and protecting its citizens,” Egbetokun added.

‘We’ll Continue To Protect You’ — IGP Assures Nigerians is first published on The Whistler Newspaper