Minister of Marine Oyetola, Acting IGP Disu Strengthen Alliance to Secure Nigeria’s Waterways

By: Olufemi Orunsola 

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has called for stronger, coordinated security operations across Nigeria’s coastal and inland waterways as part of renewed efforts to safeguard the country’s expanding blue economy.

OTN News further reports as gathered that Oyetola made the call on Thursday in Abuja while receiving the newly appointed Acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, who paid him a courtesy visit following his assumption of office. 

The meeting focused on deepening institutional collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Nigeria Police Force.

Both leaders emphasised the strategic importance of enhanced surveillance, intelligence sharing and joint enforcement operations to secure Nigeria’s maritime and inland waterways, which are increasingly vital to economic diversification, trade facilitation and job creation.

Oyetola described Disu’s appointment as well deserved, expressing confidence in his ability to further strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture. 

He noted that while general security remains a national priority, the maritime domain requires special operational focus due to its growing contribution to the economy.

“The maritime sector holds enormous promise for economic diversification and employment generation,” the minister said. 

“However, to unlock its full potential, we must guarantee safety and order across our coastal and inland waterways through coordinated operations and effective collaboration among all relevant security agencies.”

He warned that criminal activities such as smuggling, piracy, oil theft and other transnational crimes continue to pose serious threats to national security and investor confidence in the blue economy, stressing that seamless inter-agency cooperation is essential to protecting Nigeria’s maritime assets.

In his remarks, IGP Disu assured the minister of the Police Force’s readiness to provide enhanced operational support for maritime security initiatives. 

He said the Force would intensify intelligence-led policing, patrols and enforcement operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks operating within Nigeria’s waterways.

Disu reaffirmed the Police Force’s commitment to working closely with ministries and agencies whose mandates intersect with national security and economic development, noting that maritime security remains integral to national prosperity.

Both officials agreed to institutionalise regular strategic dialogue and operational coordination mechanisms designed to improve surveillance coverage, boost rapid response capacity and strengthen information sharing among agencies operating in Nigeria’s marine, coastal and inland water environments.

OTN News however, observes that the meeting comes amid growing calls from political leaders and diaspora communities for sustained collaboration among security agencies under the new police leadership, as Nigeria seeks to protect critical economic assets and build confidence in its emerging blue economy.