The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, has called for enhanced collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Navy, particularly its Marine Police division, to bolster security across the state’s waterways.
Dantawaye made this statement during an operational visit by students of Junior Course 99 (JC 99) from the Nigerian Navy Department of Maritime War College to the Kogi State Police Command in Lokoja. He praised the Navy team for selecting the Command as a key stop on their nationwide operation tour, expressing optimism that the visit would improve the readiness and effectiveness of marine police officers.
“I believe that this visit will significantly sharpen the effectiveness and professional readiness of the Marine Police officers. It will further consolidate the collaboration and synergy between the Police and Navy, particularly as it relates to waterways security,” Dantawaye remarked.
During the visit, Ali Usman, the State Marine Police Officer in Kogi, delivered a lecture titled “Consolidating Multi-Agency Cooperation for Enhancing Nigeria’s Maritime Security.” Usman traced the history and structure of the Marine Police in Kogi, outlining its operations, challenges, and the need for stronger collaboration with the NNS Lugard.
Commodore A.O. Ojebode, the Team Leader and Director of the Department of Maritime Warfare, lauded the Kogi Police Command for its warm reception and described the discussions as vital for enhancing maritime security. He noted that the visit aligns with the JC 99 course theme: “Consolidating Multi-Agency Cooperation for Enhanced Nigerian Navy Operations.”
“The Nigerian Police Force, being a critical security agency with direct responsibility for internal security, is chosen for this engagement to enable students to interact, learn, and develop pragmatic solutions to security challenges through enhanced cooperation,” Ojebode stated.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the operational visit is a crucial component of the JC 99 curriculum, aimed at exposing students to real-time operations, promoting inter-agency collaboration, and enhancing their understanding of Nigeria’s maritime security architecture.
Ojebode led the team, which included two Chief Instructors, eight directing members of staff, and 120 students, featuring 21 female officers and two international representatives from Ghana and the Republic of Congo.