Oyetola, IGP Agree To Strengthen Maritime Security
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, and the newly appointed Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, have agreed to strengthen coordinated operations in the country’s coastal and inland waterways.
Both leaders highlighted the growing strategic importance of the maritime domain to national prosperity, noting that enhanced security and surveillance are essential to protecting the waterways and other critical assets.
These were the discussions on Thursday when the Minister received the IGP in Abuja.
In a statement by the Special Adviser to the Minister, Dr Bolaji Akinola, both leaders focused on deepening institutional collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Nigeria Police Force.
Oyetola described the visit as timely, stressing that inter-agency synergy remains central to the Federal Government’s blue economy agenda.
He said the ministry was committed to working closely with law enforcement and security institutions to ensure that Nigeria’s waters remain safe, secure and conducive to investment and sustainable use.
“The maritime sector holds enormous promise for economic diversification and job creation. To unlock its full potential, we must guarantee safety and order across our waterways through seamless cooperation among all relevant agencies,” he said.
Oyetola then congratulated Disu on his appointment as the IGP, describing it as well-deserved and expressing confidence in his capacity to deliver effective leadership for the nation’s police.
“Your track record of professionalism and service inspires confidence that you will perform excellently in this office and further strengthen the security architecture of our country,” the minister said.
Disu, in turn, reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s readiness to strengthen its operational support for maritime security initiatives, including intelligence-led policing, patrols and enhanced enforcement against criminal activities on the waterways.
Disu also thanked the minister for the goodwill and reaffirmed his readiness to work collaboratively with all ministries and agencies whose mandates intersect with national security and economic development.
He noted that the Nigeria Police Force would continue to support strategic sectors, including the maritime domain, through intelligence-led operations and partnerships.
Both sides agreed to sustain regular strategic dialogue and operational coordination mechanisms to improve surveillance coverage, response capacity, and information-sharing across agencies operating within Nigeria’s marine and coastal environments.
