Nigeria Police Trust Fund Donates 3 Gunboats to Boost Maritime Security, Strengthen Waterway Patrols • IGP Disu, LSSTF CEO Ogunsan say new assets will enhance crime prevention, rapid response ahead of 2027 elections
By Oki O. Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
The Nigeria Police Force, Marine Police Command has received a significant boost to its maritime security operations following the donation and commissioning of three operational gunboats by the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF). The donation marks a strategic intervention expected to strengthen waterway patrols, enhance crime prevention and improve rapid response to security threats across the country.
The gunboats were commissioned and formally handed over at a ceremony held in Lagos on Friday, November 13, 2026. The event was attended by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu ably represented by AIG Zone 2, AIG Olohundare Moshood Jimoh; the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan who was represented by LSSTF Director of Administration, Mr. Adegbola Lewis alongside with the LSSTF’s Monitoring Officer, Mr. Adeniran Samson Israel; Executive Secretary/CEO, Nigeria Police Trust Fund, Mr. Mohammed Sheidu; Senior police officers, retired security chiefs like AIG Ronke Nurat Okunade (retd), representative of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and other maritime security stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, through his representative, AIG of Zone 2 Command, AIG Olohundare Jimoh commended the leadership of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund for its sustained commitment to strengthening the operational capacity of the Nigeria Police Force. He described the acquisition as a strategic investment in national security, noting that functional gunboats were indispensable to effective maritime policing. “The provision of these gunboats is a significant intervention that will enhance our operational capacity, strengthen maritime patrols and improve our ability to respond swiftly to security threats, particularly in areas where access by land is limited,” he said.
Disu further highlighted the importance of the assets as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, stressing that adequate security coverage of coastal and riverine communities would be essential. He charged the officers entrusted with the equipment to demonstrate professionalism and ensure proper maintenance, noting that public resources must be protected and deployed for the benefit of citizens.
In the goodwill message of the Executive Secretary/CEO of LSSTF, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, delivered by the LSSTF Director of Administration, Mr. Adegbola Lewis, he applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, IGP Olatunji Disu and the Nigeria Police Trust Fund’s leadership for its intervention, describing the provision of the gunboats as a commendable demonstration of purposeful investment in policing and public safety. Ogunsan noted that Lagos, with its extensive network of waterways and strategic maritime corridors, requires sustained investment in specialised security infrastructure to protect its economic activities, transportation networks and coastal communities.
He said: “We commend the leadership of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund for recognising the critical operational needs of the Marine Police and taking this important step towards addressing them. The provision of these gunboats demonstrates the value of strategic investment and institutional collaboration in building a more effective security architecture.”
Ogunsan added that “for a state like Lagos, where waterways play a significant role in transportation, commerce and economic activities, strengthening maritime security is not optional; it is an essential component of protecting lives, property and economic prosperity.”
The LSSTF boss reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to supporting security agencies through strategic partnerships, operational interventions and collaborative initiatives, emphasising that a safer Lagos requires sustained cooperation among government institutions and security stakeholders.
Earlier, AIG Ronke Nurat Okunade (retd) who previously headed the Maritime Police Command commended the police leadership and NPTF for addressing critical operational needs. She stressed the importance of proper maintenance, professional deployment and continuous personnel training to ensure the gunboats deliver their intended benefits.
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary/CEO, Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), Mr. Mohammed Sheidu during his speech, acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture under the Renewed Hope Agenda, while appreciating the Minister of Police Affairs, the Inspector-General of Police and the Board of Trustees of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund for their support. He explained that the donation reflected the Fund’s broader mandate of supporting police operations through equipment procurement, infrastructure, training and welfare interventions. He urged the officers to ensure that the investment translated into tangible security outcomes, stressing that “the ultimate measure of this intervention is its impact on crime prevention, effective policing and the safety and confidence of the Nigerian people.”
An official of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Lagos Area Office, also applauded the Nigeria Police Force for the initiative. He described the commissioning as a step in the right direction, noting that security and safety remained critical to the development of the nation’s water transportation system. He reaffirmed NIWA’s commitment to sustained cooperation and collaboration with the Marine Police and other relevant agencies to ensure safe, secure and seamless water transportation.
The NPTF intervention through the presentation of the three Marine gunboats is expected to enhance the operational capabilities of the Marine Police, particularly in securing inland waterways, coastal communities and other maritime corridors vulnerable to criminal activities.
