In an effort to enhance Nigeria’s security architecture, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu revealed ambitious plans to establish specialized police units focusing on marine, solid mineral, and forest security.
The announcement came during a crucial meeting in Abuja with governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday.
President Tinubu highlighted the need for three new police formations to complement the existing police force, with a particular emphasis on reinforcing forest security. The proposed forest guards would undergo improved training and be equipped with modern technological gadgets and weapons to elevate security measures across the nation.
Moreover, President Tinubu expressed concern about the security of Nigeria’s marine and solid mineral sectors. He proposed the creation of dedicated police units to safeguard these crucial economic domains.
“We have a big marine economy, and I do not see why we should not have the marine police. We will have the same in solid minerals to keep the scavengers away. I am ready to invest in security,” President Tinubu declared.
The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, shared the news on Saturday, highlighting Tinubu’s commitment to revamping Nigeria’s security landscape. Onanuga underscored the president’s emphasis on specialized training, modern technology, and advanced weaponry for the proposed police units.
However, it is worth noting that existing information indicates the presence of marine police units within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). Established in 1891 as the ‘Night Water Patrol’ in Lagos, the NPF’s marine section currently operates with 81 marine stations and outposts across navigable rivers and waterways in the country.
President Tinubu’s commitment to security reform is not a recent development. In October 2023, he established a constitutional review committee to undertake comprehensive police reforms.
The committee, consisting of key figures such as the Minister of Police Affairs, National Security Adviser, Chairman of the Police Service Commission, and the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, aims to address constitutional gaps and enhance the capabilities of the Nigerian Police Force. Tinubu’s new plans align with this broader effort to fortify the nation’s security apparatus.
