Ahead of 2027 Elections Marine Police Commissioner Orders Professional, Apolitical Conduct
The Commissioner of Police in charge of Marine Police, Adepegba Adetoye, has directed marine police commanders and personnel across the country to maintain professional, civil and strictly apolitical conduct, particularly as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Adetoye gave the directive on Saturday, November 7, 2026 during an operational assessment and familiarisation tour of marine police formations, which included an interactive session with marine police officers and commanders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The tour, undertaken in line with the operational readiness vision of the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, is aimed at assessing the preparedness of marine police personnel and strengthening engagement with relevant stakeholders ahead of the elections.
At the interactive session, which brought together State Marine Officers and Port Marine Officers from Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa states, as well as personnel attached to the Onne and Calabar seaports, the marine police chief emphasised discipline, professionalism and respect for the rights of members of the public.
He charged officers to remain neutral during the electioneering period, warning against conduct that could compromise the integrity of the police or undermine public confidence in the force.
The commissioner also directed commanders to sustain the enforcement of maritime laws and regulations, intensify raids on identified criminal hotspots in creeks and waterways, and strengthen safety and security across Nigeria’s inland and coastal waterways.
He further tasked them with establishing stronger cooperation and inter-agency collaboration with relevant maritime stakeholders to improve intelligence sharing, operational coordination and the overall security of the nation’s maritime domain.
As part of the tour, Adetoye and his entourage paid a familiarisation visit to the Eastern Zonal Office of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in Port Harcourt.
The delegation was received by the Director of the Eastern Zonal Office, Aina Akinola, and members of the agency’s management team.
Discussions during the visit focused on maritime safety and security, enforcement of relevant regulations, intelligence sharing and improved cooperation between the Marine Police and NIMASA.
The engagement underscored the importance of coordinated action among maritime institutions in addressing security challenges and ensuring safer waterways for commercial and other users.
The visit forms part of efforts by the Marine Police leadership to strengthen operational capacity, promote professional conduct and deepen collaboration with relevant agencies as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
