- Safiu Kehinde
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has charged the Nigerian Police Force Border Patrol Unit to embrace technology in defense against external security threat.
As contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, the IGP gave the charge during a conference with the unit Commanders at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
In his address, Egbetokun emphasized that commanders must anticipate, innovate, and outthink criminal elements.
“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.” The IGP was quoted to have said during the conference.
He further charged the Border Patrol Commanders across the country to discharge their duties with renewed determination.
According to him, the unit, as the first line of defence against any external security threat, carry the enormous responsibility of safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty, preventing bloodshed, and defending the very identity of the nation.
The IGP however admitted to the vast and complex nature of Nigeria’s borders, and long maritime corridors that link Nigeria to the Gulf of Guinea.
He commended the relentless efforts of the Force Border Patrol unit in tackling the dynamic nature of crimes perpetuated at the nation’s borders.
Egbetokun further stressed the importance of intelligence-led policing, community trust, and seamless collaboration with sister agencies as the bedrock of effective border security.
While acknowledging the sacrifices of officers and commanders in the line of duty, he assured that under his leadership, the welfare of police personnel remains a priority.
The IGP tasked the Commanders not to relent in their strides to preempt and prevent criminal activities at Nigeria’s borders while assuring the public of the Force’s relentless commitment to securing the nation, safeguarding its people, and defending its sovereignty.