The Maritime Police Command and the Nigerian Navy have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing maritime security by strengthening their existing partnership to combat crime along the nation’s waterways.
The partnership was reinforced when the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Maritime Police Command, AIG Okunade Ronke Nurat, hosted the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral A. A. Mustapha, during a courtesy visit to the Command Headquarters, Force Headquarters Annex, Obalende, Lagos.
According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Adebayo Rasheed Adesayo, the visit highlighted the longstanding cordial relationship and operational synergy between the Western Naval Command and the Maritime Police Command, aimed at strengthening the security of Nigeria’s maritime domain through sustained inter-agency collaboration.
During the engagement, Rear Admiral A. A. Mustapha reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment to ensuring effective maritime security within the nation’s western maritime zone and adjoining high seas.
He assured the AIG Maritime of the Navy’s readiness to sustain and further strengthen its collaboration with the Maritime Police Command in combating criminal activities along the nation’s waterways.
Rear Admiral Mustapha noted that the collective efforts of maritime security agencies have contributed significantly to Nigeria’s removal from the global piracy list and pledged continued synergy through intelligence sharing, joint operations, and resource collaboration.
In her remarks, AIG Okunade Ronke Nurat welcomed the FOC and his entourage and stated that the visit reflects the enduring partnership, mutual respect, and excellent working relationship that continue to exist between both Commands.
AIG Nurat described such collaboration as indispensable to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime environment.
She also conveyed the appreciation of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to the Nigerian Navy, through the FOC, for providing officers and men of the Marine Police Unit with the opportunity to participate in the recent maritime training programme held in Ojo, Lagos, earlier this year.
The AIG Maritime affirmed that the training significantly enhanced the operational capacity of the participating personnel and further strengthened inter-agency cooperation.
She further assured the FOC of the Maritime Police Command’s unwavering commitment to continued cooperation towards achieving a safer and crime-free maritime domain.
The courtesy visit concluded with a tour of the Lagos State Marine Office at Awolowo Way, Lagos, the exchange of souvenirs, and a group photograph session.
The Maritime Police Command reiterated its commitment to sustained collaboration, intelligence sharing, and joint operational engagements with all relevant maritime security stakeholders in the interest of national security, public safety, and economic prosperity.
