The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Baba Azare, has called for stronger collaboration among security agencies and relevant stakeholders to tackle sea piracy and other threats along Nigeria’s waterways.
The challenge of sea piracy and related crimes along Nigeria’s waterways has remained a major concern for security agencies and maritime stakeholders, with growing calls for improved coordination to protect lives, safeguard economic activities, and secure critical coastal infrastructure.
Azare made the call on Monday in Uyo while receiving the Commandant of the Naval Warfare College, Rear Admiral M.A. Muye, and participants of Naval Warfare Course 10, who were on an operational study visit to the state.
The visit forms part of the course’s field study programme themed “Maritime Security and Socio-Economic Development: Akwa Ibom State in Perspective.”
The police commissioner stressed that addressing maritime insecurity requires a coordinated approach involving security agencies, maritime regulators, and host communities.
According to him, the increasing sophistication of crimes on the waterways demands improved intelligence sharing, joint operations, enhanced surveillance systems, and the deployment of modern technology.
Azare listed key agencies whose collaboration is crucial to maritime security to include the Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
He described Akwa Ibom as a strategic maritime state whose waterways and coastal assets contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economic development, but warned that persistent threats such as sea piracy, armed robbery at sea, and kidnapping continue to undermine maritime activities.
Azare said sustainable socio-economic development can only be achieved in an environment where lives, investments, and critical infrastructure are adequately protected.
“No nation can fully harness the enormous potential of its maritime resources in an atmosphere of insecurity,” he said.
Responding, the Commandant of the Naval Warfare College, Rear Admiral Muye, commended the Akwa Ibom State Police Command for its efforts in maintaining peace and security across the state.
He said the visit provided participants of Naval Warfare Course 10 with valuable insights into contemporary maritime security challenges and the importance of inter-agency cooperation in addressing emerging threats.
Muye expressed confidence that lessons from the study tour would strengthen the operational and strategic capabilities of officers in tackling maritime security concerns across the country.