Maritime Security and Safety
Police, Navy Forge Stronger Alliance to Secure Lagos Waterways
Police, Navy Forge Stronger Alliance to Secure Lagos Waterways
By Okeoghene Onoriobe | Waterways News Correspondent, Lagos
The Nigeria Police Force’s Maritime Police Command and the Nigerian Navy’s Western Naval Command have renewed their commitment to securing Lagos waterways, agreeing to ramp up joint patrol operations, streamline emergency response, and invest in joint personnel training.
The agreement emerged from a high-level strategic meeting between the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Maritime Police Command, AIG Okunade Ronke Nurat, and the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral A. A. Mustapha — signalling a new chapter in inter-agency cooperation on Nigeria’s busiest inland waterway corridor.
According to a statement issued by Maritime Police Spokesman, ASP Adebayo Rasheed, both commands have identified coordinated patrols across Lagos waterways and their adjoining creeks as an immediate priority. The intensified operations are aimed at clamping down on criminal activity and tightening surveillance throughout the maritime zone.
Beyond patrol operations, the two agencies are working to establish a unified emergency response framework — a system designed to cut down reaction times and sharpen operational coordination when incidents occur on the water, whether boat mishaps, piracy attempts, or other security threats.
Capacity building also featured prominently in the discussions. Joint training exercises will be rolled out to improve the readiness and interoperability of personnel from both commands, ensuring they can work as one seamless unit when it matters most.
AIG Okunade, speaking at the engagement, emphasized that consistent inter-agency collaboration remains the backbone of Nigeria’s maritime security architecture, noting that robust intelligence sharing and joint operations are the most effective tools for achieving meaningful outcomes on the water.
Rear Admiral Mustapha echoed that position, reaffirming the Navy’s full commitment to the partnership and describing inter-agency synergy as non-negotiable in the face of evolving maritime threats.
With this renewed alliance, waterway users and maritime stakeholders can expect a stronger, more visible security presence across Lagos’ extensive network of creeks and waterways — and improved protection of lives, livelihoods, and critical maritime infrastructure.
Waterways News — Covering Nigeria’s Inland and Coastal Water Corridors