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The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is deepening its collaboration with the Government of Denmark to strengthen maritime security, enhance institutional capacity and improve international cooperation in tackling crimes within Nigeria’s territorial and inland waters.
The Force Marine Officer, CP Adepegba K. Adetoye, disclosed this while hosting a high-level delegation from the Embassy of Denmark at the Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos, at the weekend.
The strategic engagement, according to him, is aimed at boosting maritime security through enhanced partnership, intelligence sharing and capacity-building initiatives.
The Danish delegation was led by Alex Shoebridge and included representatives of Tana Copenhagen ApS, consultants for the Denmark Maritime Security Programme (DMSP), as well as Oluwatumininu Onamade, Sustainability Lead and Senior Adviser, Maritime Trade Council of Denmark.
CP Adetoye explained that the meeting followed a formal communication from the Embassy of Denmark to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, and formed part of ongoing consultations on the implementation of the Denmark Maritime Security Programme, which is expected to conclude in 2026.
Welcoming the delegation, the Force Marine Officer conveyed the appreciation of the Inspector-General to the Government of Denmark for its sustained support towards strengthening maritime security, institutional capacity and regional cooperation within the Gulf of Guinea.
He noted that the long-standing partnership had significantly enhanced the operational efficiency and professionalism of the Nigeria Police Force Marine Department through specialised training, operational support and knowledge sharing.
Adetoye observed that although incidents of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea have declined considerably, several emerging threats still pose serious security concerns.
These, he said, include crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, human trafficking, arms and narcotics smuggling, illegal fishing, environmental crimes and cyber threats targeting maritime infrastructure.
He stressed that addressing such challenges requires coordinated responses, advanced technology and sustained investment in human capacity development.
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Speaking during the meeting, Alex Shoebridge reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to working closely with the Nigeria Police Force Marine Department in designing the next phase of the Denmark Maritime Security Programme.
He noted that future interventions would be aligned with the operational priorities of the Marine Department while ensuring continuity in training, joint exercises and improved information-sharing mechanisms.
Both parties reviewed achievements recorded under the DMSP and identified key areas for future collaboration.
The areas include advanced maritime training, intelligence-led policing, maritime investigations, forensic science, cybersecurity, search and rescue operations, underwater investigations, drone operations, tactical medical care, fire safety aboard vessels, marine engineering and maritime domain awareness.
The discussions also focused on the deployment of emerging technologies such as drones, satellite surveillance, secure communication platforms and artificial intelligence to improve operational effectiveness.
The meeting further underscored the need for stronger inter-agency collaboration among the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigeria Customs Service, the judiciary and other relevant stakeholders to enhance intelligence sharing, maritime law enforcement and prosecution of maritime crimes.
Participants also highlighted the importance of developing stronger institutional frameworks for curriculum development, evidence management, crime scene investigation and legal procedures relating to maritime offences.
The meeting stressed the need for continuous collaboration with international partners, including Interpol, to improve investigative capacity and prosecutorial outcomes.
Reaffirming the commitment of the Marine Department, CP Adetoye said the Nigeria Police Force remains focused on the strategic vision of the Inspector-General of Police to build a modern, professional, intelligence-driven and responsive Marine Police capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s waters and contributing to regional maritime security.
He expressed confidence that the enduring partnership between Nigeria and Denmark would continue to strengthen maritime governance, institutional resilience and collective security across the Gulf of Guinea.
