The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Government of Denmark have renewed their commitment to strengthening maritime security through enhanced international cooperation, intelligence sharing and capacity building to tackle emerging threats in Nigeria’s territorial waters.

The renewed partnership was announced during a meeting between the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Force Marine Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Adepegba Kolawole Adetoye, and a high-level delegation from the Embassy of Denmark at the Force Headquarters Annex in Lagos.
The Danish delegation was led by Mr. Alex Shoebridge, Consultant, Tana Copenhagen ApS, for the Denmark Maritime Security Programme (DMSP), and Mrs. Oluwatumininu Onamade, Sustainability Lead and Senior Adviser, Maritime Trade Council of Denmark.

According to a statement signed by Adepegba, the meeting followed a formal communication from the Danish Embassy to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, as part of consultations on the implementation of the Denmark Maritime Security Programme, which is expected to conclude in 2026.
Adepegba conveyed the appreciation of the IGP to the Danish Government for its sustained support in strengthening maritime security, institutional capacity and regional cooperation within the Gulf of Guinea.

He said the partnership had significantly enhanced the operational capability and professionalism of the Force Marine Department through specialised training, operational support and knowledge sharing.
The commissioner, however, warned that although incidents of piracy had declined in the Gulf of Guinea, emerging threats such as crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, human trafficking, arms and narcotics smuggling, illegal fishing, environmental crimes and cyber threats against maritime infrastructure continued to pose serious security challenges.

According to him, addressing these threats requires coordinated regional responses, modern technology and sustained investment in human capacity development.
Adepegba said the Danish delegation restated its commitment to working with the Force Marine Department in designing the next phase of the Denmark Maritime Security Programme to ensure continuity in capacity building, joint exercises and intelligence sharing.

He disclosed that both parties reviewed the achievements recorded under the existing programme and identified new areas of collaboration, including advanced maritime training, intelligence-led policing, maritime investigations, forensic science, cybersecurity, search and rescue operations, underwater investigations, drone operations, tactical medical care, fire safety on board vessels, marine engineering and maritime domain awareness.
The proposed collaboration will also leverage emerging technologies such as drones, satellite surveillance, secure communication platforms and artificial intelligence to enhance operational effectiveness.

The meeting also emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigeria Customs Service, the judiciary and other relevant agencies to improve intelligence sharing, maritime law enforcement and prosecution of maritime crimes.
Adepegba added that discussions also focused on strengthening institutional frameworks for curriculum development, evidence management, crime scene investigation and legal procedures relating to maritime offences, while expanding cooperation with international organisations, including Interpol, to improve investigation and prosecution.

He restated the commitment of the Force Marine Department to the vision of the Inspector-General of Police to build a modern, professional, intelligence-driven and responsive marine policing system capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s inland waterways and territorial waters while contributing to regional maritime security.
The commissioner expressed optimism that the enduring partnership between Nigeria and Denmark would continue to strengthen maritime governance, institutional resilience and collective security across the Gulf of Guinea.