IGP Kayode Egbetokun has charged border patrol commanders across the country to strengthen their operations against external threats.
Egbetokun said the commanders hold the responsibility of safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty, preventing bloodshed, and defending the nation’s identity.
He gave the charge during a conference with the commanders at the force headquarters in Abuja on Friday.
The IGP described Nigeria’s borders as vast and complex, with long maritime corridors linking the country to the Gulf of Guinea.
He commended the efforts of the border patrol unit in tackling crimes and stressed the need for innovation.
“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 said intelligence-led policing, community trust and collaboration with other security agencies remain the foundation of effective border security.
He assured the commanders of his administration’s commitment to prioritising their welfare and urged them not to relent in preempting and preventing crimes at Nigeria’s borders.