Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s intention to establish specialized police units for marine, solid mineral, and forest security.
In a statement posted on X, Onanuga said that President Tinubu expressed his intention to overhaul 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 emphasized the need for enhanced forest guards equipped with modern technology and weapons to bolster security measures.
Tinubu revealed intentions to institute specialized police units dedicated to safeguarding 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 proposal for a marine police force, current information indicates that marine police units are already integrated into the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). Initiated in 1891 as the ‘Night Water Patrol’ in Lagos, the NPF’s marine section operates with 81 marine stations and outposts strategically positioned across navigable rivers and waterways in the country.
In October 2023, President Tinubu established a constitutional review committee to undertake comprehensive police reforms. This committee 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.
Kanyi Daily recalls that Bola Tinubu had given his approval for the establishment of a Governing Council for the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF)
