ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- President Bola Tinubu has unveiled plans to enhance Nigeria’s security architecture by proposing the creation of new police formations, including marine police, solid mineral police, and better-trained forest guards.
This revelation occurred during a meeting in Abuja on Friday with Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as shared on X by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
Tinubu emphasized the need for three new police formations to augment the regular police, addressing the importance of deploying well-trained forest guards equipped with modern technology and weapons.
Onanuga wrote, “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.”
He specifically highlighted the significance of securing the marine and solid mineral economic sectors through dedicated police units.
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The presidential aide further quoted Tinubu as saying, “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 Tinubu’s commitment to establishing a marine police force, it was noted that marine police already exist as part of the Nigeria Police Force.
The Marine Section, established in 1891, operates under the ‘B’ Department of the Force, with 81 Marine Stations and Outposts across the country.
Tinubu also disclosed his plans to stock the nation’s mineral resources in reserve, particularly focusing on gold to boost the foreign exchange reserve.
This initiative aligns with the President’s broader efforts toward comprehensive police reforms, as evidenced by the establishment of a constitutional review committee tasked with addressing gaps in Nigeria’s 1999 constitution related to the police force.
“The President has formed a special committee to look at all the gaps in Nigeria’s 1999 constitution with a view to bring harmony and synergy, closing technology and manpower to the Nigerian Police Force.
“The committee comprises the minister of police affairs, NSA, chairman of PSC, and the chairman of the NGF. They will work together with a view to make sure that the Nigeria Police is reformed,” Mohammed said.
The committee includes key figures such as the Minister of Police Affairs, the National Security Adviser, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, and the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum. Notably, Olukayode Egbetokun was confirmed as the substantive Inspector-General of Police during a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council chaired by the President in late October 2023.