By Thompson Yamput
Mr Miller Dantawaye, Commissioner of Police in Kogi has said that strong synergy between the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and Nigerian Navy, particularly the Marine Police, would enhance waterways security in Nigeria.
The commissioner said this when Students of Junior Course 99 (JC 99) of the Nigerian Navy Department of Maritime War College, paid an operational visit to the police command in Lokoja.
Dantawaye commended them for choosing the command as one of the stops on their operation tours across the country.
“It’s my belief that this visit will significantly sharpen the effectiveness and professional readiness of the marine police officers.
“Again, this will further consolidate on the collaboration and synergy between the police and navy, particularly marine police as it relates to waterways security,” he said.
The guest lecturer for the event, SP Ali A. Usman, state marine police officer in Kogi, made a presentation on: “Consolidating Multi-Agency Cooperation for Enhancing Nigeria’s Maritime Security.”
Usman traced the history of marine police, its structure, roles, and specific operations within Kogi, highlighting operational challenges and recommending solutions for stronger synergy between the marine police unit in Kogi and NNS Lugard.
In his remarks, the Team Leader and Director, Department of Maritime Warfare, Commodore A.O. Ojebode acknowledged the open-hearted reception by the CP and his management team.
Ojebode commended the depth of the lecture and discussions, which he described as critical in enhancing national maritime
security.
He said the operational visit was in line 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.
“⁷This historic visit reaffirms the commitment of the Nigerian police force and the Nigerian navy to building a stronger, united front against all maritime and inland waterway-related threats,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit is a core component of the JC 99 curriculum aimed at exposing the students to real-time operations, foster inter-agency collaboration, and enhance their understanding of national security architecture, particularly in inland maritime environments.
Ojebode, who led the team was accompanied by two Chief Instructors, eight directing members of staff , and a total of 120 students, including 21 female officers and two international representatives from Ghana and the Republic of Congo. NAN
