The Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, on Thursday emphasized that no single agency can effectively secure Nigeria’s borders on its own. He underscored the need for a unified approach, stating that the complexity of modern security threats requires collective effort to tackle the country’s diverse challenges.
IGP Egbetokun stated this at a strategic meeting with the Force Border Patrol Commanders at the Force Headquarters in Abuja
He told the commanders that this was why collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Armed Forces, and other stakeholders must be seamless.
According to him, “When we share intelligence, when we conduct joint operations, the results speak for themselves.
“In recent months, joint patrols have led to major arms and narcotics seizures. These are proof that the enemy can be defeated when we stand together. The criminals are united in their mission; therefore, we must also be united in ours.
“Today is not just another meeting. It is a moment of reflection—a moment to pause, look at where we stand, and renew our shared commitment to the sacred task of defending our nation’s borders and protecting our people.
“There is a proverb that says: ‘A house without a door is a shelter for strangers.’ Our borders are Nigeria’s doors. If those doors are weak, every danger walks in freely. If they are strong, our children can sleep soundly in their beds.
“You are the guardians of those doors. You are the sentinels who stand at the very edges of our sovereignty. You are the reason Nigeria can remain a secure home for its people.
“Nigeria is a nation blessed with vast and complex borders, over 4,000 kilometres of land boundaries and long maritime corridors linking us to the Gulf of Guinea.
“These borders are more than lines on a map. They are the arteries through which trade, culture, and human connection flow. But they can also be the cracks through which danger slips in.”
The IGP further explained that for too long, the porosity of Nigeria’s borders has been exploited.
“We have seen the inflow of small arms and light weapons that fuel violence in our villages and cities. We have seen contraband goods smuggled in, crippling our local industries.
“We have seen vulnerable women and children deceived and trafficked across borders. We have confronted terrorists and criminal syndicates who take advantage of these weaknesses to infiltrate and destabilize our communities.
“These are not abstract threats. They are the challenges we face daily. When you stop a truck carrying hidden rifles, you prevent bloodshed. When you intercept human traffickers, you restore dignity to a life. When you stand firm at a border post, you defend not just territory, but the very identity of Nigeria.
“This is why we cannot continue with business as usual. Policing today can no longer afford to be reactive. Crime is faster, smarter, and more global than ever before. To win, we must anticipate, innovate, and outthink those who seek to harm us.
“Just last year, a shipping container carrying over 800 rifles and 100,000 rounds of ammunition, hidden among furniture from Turkey, was intercepted by Nigerian security agencies.
“That interception was not luck; it was the result of intelligence, vigilance, and collaboration. It prevented what could have been one of the deadliest influxes of arms into our country. That is the standard we must uphold in all our border operations.”*
He reminded the commanders of the enormous task of policing the nation’s borders against criminal activities and charged them to remain extra vigilant at their respective duty posts.
“You, the officers of the Border Patrol Section, carry an enormous responsibility. You are not just policemen and women—you are the first line of defence against external threats. You are the protectors of Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“Your duties go far beyond routine law enforcement. You are the ones who stop smugglers of weapons and narcotics. You are the ones who rescue trafficked children before they are lost forever. You are the ones who keep criminal syndicates from turning our nation into a playground of lawlessness. And you do all this while working with sister agencies to ensure that no crack is left open for danger to slip through.
The Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, on Thursday declared that “no single agency can secure Nigeria’s borders alone,” stressing that “the complexity of modern threats demands unity of purpose” to defeat the multifaceted security challenges facing the country.
IGP Egbetokun stated this at a strategic meeting with the Force Border Patrol Commanders at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
He told the commanders that this was why collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Armed Forces, and other stakeholders must be seamless.
According to him, “When we share intelligence, when we conduct joint operations, the results speak for themselves.
“In recent months, joint patrols have led to major arms and narcotics seizures. These are proof that the enemy can be defeated when we stand together. The criminals are united in their mission; therefore, we must also be united in ours.
“Today is not just another meeting. It is a moment of reflection—a moment to pause, look at where we stand, and renew our shared commitment to the sacred task of defending our nation’s borders and protecting our people.
“There is a proverb that says: ‘A house without a door is a shelter for strangers.’ Our borders are Nigeria’s doors. If those doors are weak, every danger walks in freely. If they are strong, our children can sleep soundly in their beds.
“You are the guardians of those doors. You are the sentinels who stand at the very edges of our sovereignty. You are the reason Nigeria can remain a secure home for its people.
“Nigeria is a nation blessed with vast and complex borders, over 4,000 kilometres of land boundaries and long maritime corridors linking us to the Gulf of Guinea.
“These borders are more than lines on a map. They are the arteries through which trade, culture, and human connection flow. But they can also be the cracks through which danger slips in.”
The IGP further explained that for too long, the porosity of Nigeria’s borders has been exploited.
*“We have seen the inflow of small arms and light weapons that fuel violence in our villages and cities. We have seen contraband goods smuggled in, crippling our local industries.
“We have seen vulnerable women and children deceived and trafficked across borders. We have confronted terrorists and criminal syndicates who take advantage of these weaknesses to infiltrate and destabilize our communities.
“These are not abstract threats. They are the challenges we face daily. When you stop a truck carrying hidden rifles, you prevent bloodshed. When you intercept human traffickers, you restore dignity to a life. When you stand firm at a border post, you defend not just territory, but the very identity of Nigeria.
“This is why we cannot continue with business as usual. Policing today can no longer afford to be reactive. Crime is faster, smarter, and more global than ever before. To win, we must anticipate, innovate, and outthink those who seek to harm us.
“Just last year, a shipping container carrying over 800 rifles and 100,000 rounds of ammunition, hidden among furniture from Turkey, was intercepted by Nigerian security agencies.
“That interception was not luck; it was the result of intelligence, vigilance, and collaboration. It prevented what could have been one of the deadliest influxes of arms into our country. That is the standard we must uphold in all our border operations.”*
He reminded the commanders of the enormous task of policing the nation’s borders against criminal activities and charged them to remain extra vigilant at their respective duty posts.
“You, the officers of the Border Patrol Section, carry an enormous responsibility. You are not just policemen and women—you are the first line of defence against external threats. You are the protectors of Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“Your duties go far beyond routine law enforcement. You are the ones who stop smugglers of weapons and narcotics. You are the ones who rescue trafficked children before they are lost forever. You are the ones who keep criminal syndicates from turning our nation into a playground of lawlessness. And you do all this while working with sister agencies to ensure that no crack is left open for danger to slip through.
“Let me say this to you: when you mount a checkpoint, when you block a smuggling route, when you rescue a victim—you are not just doing your job; you are shaping the future of Nigeria.
“But let us be clear: the threats we face are changing every day. Criminal groups are no longer ragtag gangs. They are sophisticated, well-funded, and international. They use drones, falsified documents, and encrypted networks to stay ahead.
“We cannot fight 21st-century crime with 20th-century tools. That is why we must embrace technology—surveillance systems, drones, biometric scanners, real-time data analysis. These are not luxuries; they are necessities. And we will continue to fight for them until every officer on the frontline is equipped to match the sophistication of those you face.
“In today’s policing, intelligence is everything. We need numbers, but numbers alone cannot secure Nigeria’s borders. The decisive edge comes from information—timely, accurate, and actionable.
“This means strengthening grassroots intelligence networks, building trust with local communities, and using technology to turn data into foresight. A single phone call from a villager can prevent a massacre. A piece of analysed digital evidence can expose an entire smuggling ring. Our goal is not to wait for crime to happen; it is to prevent it, to disrupt it, to dismantle it before it matures.”
He reassured the commanders that the welfare of police personnel remains a priority for optimal performance.
“I know the burdens you carry. I know the nights spent in harsh conditions, the long stretches without proper mobility assets, the risks taken in places where backup is far away. I also know the silent sacrifices of your families who wait anxiously for your safe return.
“Let me assure you: you are not forgotten. Under my leadership, the welfare of officers is not an afterthought—it is a priority. We are working with the Federal Government and development partners to improve your tools, mobility, housing, and insurance. We cannot ask you to give your best if your welfare is neglected. And as long as I lead, I will continue to fight for your welfare.”*
The IGP also paid tribute to fallen heroes who paid the ultimate price in defence of Nigeria’s borders, saying their sacrifice will never be forgotten.
