The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered Border Patrol Commanders nationwide to intensify efforts in safeguarding Nigeria’s frontiers, stressing that they remain the country’s first line of defence against external threats.
According to a statement signed on Friday by CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, the directive was issued during a conference with the commanders at the Force Headquarters.
Egbetokun highlighted the vast and complex nature of Nigeria’s borders and maritime corridors linking the Gulf of Guinea, warning that cross-border crimes required new strategies.
Quoting directly, he said: “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 urged commanders to be proactive and adopt intelligence-led policing, while building public trust and strengthening inter-agency collaboration for effective border security.
He commended the Border Patrol Unit’s efforts so far but insisted that innovation and technology must now drive their operations.
Egbetokun further assured that the welfare of officers and commanders would remain a priority under his leadership.
