Nigeria, Denmark Strengthen Maritime Security Partnership
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Government of Denmark have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening maritime security through enhanced international cooperation, intelligence sharing and capacity building aimed at tackling emerging security threats within Nigeria’s territorial waters.
The renewed partnership was announced during a meeting between the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Force Marine Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja, CP Adepegba Kolawole Adetoye, and a delegation from the Embassy of Denmark at the Force Headquarters Annex in Lagos.
The Danish delegation was led by Mr. Alex Shoebridge, Consultant at Tana Copenhagen ApS for the Denmark Maritime Security Programme (DMSP), alongside Mrs. Oluwatumininu Onamade, Sustainability Lead and Senior Adviser at the Maritime Trade Council of Denmark.
According to a statement issued by CP Adetoye, the meeting followed consultations initiated by the Danish Embassy with the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on the implementation of the Denmark Maritime Security Programme, which is expected to conclude in 2026.
Adetoye conveyed the appreciation of the Inspector-General of Police to the Danish Government for its sustained support in enhancing maritime security, institutional capacity and regional cooperation across the Gulf of Guinea.
He noted that the partnership has significantly improved the operational capability and professionalism of the Force Marine Department through specialised training, operational support and knowledge exchange.
While acknowledging the decline in piracy incidents within the Gulf of Guinea, the commissioner warned that emerging threats—including crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, human trafficking, arms and narcotics smuggling, illegal fishing, environmental crimes and cyberattacks targeting maritime infrastructure—continue to pose serious security challenges.
He stressed that addressing these threats requires coordinated regional responses, the deployment of modern technology and sustained investment in human capacity development.
The Danish delegation reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Force Marine Department on the next phase of the Denmark Maritime Security Programme, with a focus on sustaining capacity building, joint exercises and intelligence sharing.
Both parties reviewed achievements recorded under the existing programme and identified new areas of collaboration, including advanced maritime training, intelligence-led policing, maritime investigations, forensic science, cybersecurity, search and rescue operations, underwater investigations, drone operations, tactical medical care, fire safety aboard vessels, marine engineering and maritime domain awareness.
The proposed collaboration will also leverage emerging technologies such as drones, satellite surveillance, secure communication platforms and artificial intelligence to improve operational effectiveness.
The meeting further underscored the need for stronger collaboration among the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigeria Customs Service, the judiciary and other relevant agencies to enhance intelligence sharing, maritime law enforcement and prosecution of maritime crimes.
Discussions also covered strengthening institutional frameworks for curriculum development, evidence management, crime scene investigation and legal procedures relating to maritime offences, while expanding cooperation with international organisations, including Interpol, to improve investigations and prosecution.
Adetoye reiterated the commitment of the Force Marine Department to the vision of the Inspector-General of Police to build a modern, professional, intelligence-driven and responsive marine policing system capable of protecting Nigeria’s inland waterways and territorial waters while contributing to regional maritime security.
He expressed optimism that the enduring partnership between Nigeria and Denmark would further strengthen maritime governance, institutional resilience and collective security across the Gulf of Guinea.
