The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed Border Patrol Commanders nationwide to step up efforts in safeguarding Nigeria’s frontiers.
Egbetokun, who described the commanders as the nation’s first line of defence against external threats, charged them to remain proactive in preventing cross-border crimes and other security challenges.
According to a statement issued on Friday by CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, Force Public Relations Officer, the IGP gave the directive during a conference with the commanders at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Highlighting the vast and complex nature of Nigeria’s borders and maritime corridors, particularly those linking the country to the Gulf of Guinea, the police chief commended the unit’s contributions to tackling transnational crimes but urged them to embrace new strategies.
“The Nigeria Police Force cannot tackle 21st-century crimes with 20th-century tools. That is why we must embrace technology—surveillance systems, drones, biometric scanners, real-time data analysis,” he said.
Egbetokun further emphasized the importance of intelligence-led policing, public trust, and inter-agency collaboration in ensuring effective border security. He also reassured that the welfare of officers and commanders remains a top priority under his leadership.
