The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced on Saturday that President Bola Tinubu has outlined plans to establish specialised police units for marine, solid mineral, and forest security.
In a message shared on X, Onanuga said that Tinubu expressed his intention to revamp Nigeria’s security architecture during a meeting in Abuja with governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Tinubu outlined the creation of three new police formations to complement the regular police force. He stressed the need for enhanced forest guards equipped with modern technology and weapons to bolster security measures. Additionally, Tinubu disclosed plans to establish special police units to secure the solid mineral and marine economic sectors.
“He (Tinubu) mentioned three brand new police formations, to augment the regular police. He said the deployment of forest guards was being considered, with better training, modern technological gadgets and weapons to strengthen security.
“He said the solid mineral and marine economic sectors will also be secured by special police,” Onanuga quoted Tinubu as saying, adding that the president further said, “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.”
Despite the announcement of plans for a marine police force, existing information indicates that marine police units are already part of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). The NPF’s marine section, established in 1891 as the ‘Night Water Patrol’ in Lagos, currently operates with 81 marine stations and outposts across navigable rivers and waterways in the country.
President Tinubu had previously in October 20203 established a constitutional review committee to undertake comprehensive police reforms. The committee, which includes 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 gaps in the 1999 constitution and enhance the capabilities of the Nigerian Police Force.
