The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun has said that Criminal groups are now well-funded and employing drones to perpetrate criminal activities”
Criminals, he said, are no longer “ragtag gangs” but “sophisticated and international using falsified documents, and encrypted networks to stay ahead.”
He spoke on Thursday, at the Force Headquarters during a Conference with Commanders of all Border Patrol Units across the country.
He stated that the Force cannot fight 21st-century crime with 20th-century tools.
He harped on the use of technology – surveillance systems, drones, biometric scanners, real-time data analysis to combat the menace.
He added:”Just last year a shipping container carrying over 800 rifles and 100,000rounds of ammunition, hidden among furniture from Turkey were 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 also said 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.”
He said: “The threats we face are changing every day. Criminal groups are no longer ragtag gangs. They are sophisticated, they are well-funded, and they are international. They use drones.
“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..”
The IGP noted that these cutting-edge technologies are not “luxuries, they are necessities” and that the Force under his leadership will continue to fight for them until every officer on the frontline is equipped to match the sophistication of those they face every day.
He stressed that, in today’s policing, “intelligence is everything.” He emphasized that, “We need the numbers but numbers alone cannot secure Nigeria’s borders. The decisive edge comes from information -timely, accurate, and actionable.
“This means strengthening your 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 analyzed 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.
“No single agency can secure Nigeria’s borders alone. The complexity of modern threats demands unity of purpose. That is why our collaboration with Customs, Immigration, the Armed Forces, and other stakeholders must be seamless.
“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.”
Commending the Border Commanders for their hard work and diligence, the IGP assured that they are not “forgotten” as the Force management and the FG are working round the clock to improve their condition of service.
He said: ” 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, your mobility, your housing, and your 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. And here, let us also pause to honor those who paid the ultimate price-our fallen heroes who laid down their lives in defence of Nigeria’s borders. Their courage inspires us, and their sacrifice will never be forgotten.
“On behalf of the entire Force, I must express our gratitude to the Federal Government of Nigeria under the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“The administration’s support-through reforms, resources, and operational tools- has been instrumental in strengthening the Nigeria Police Force.
“We also acknowledge the National Assembly, the Ministry of Police Affairs, and our international partners-ECOWAS, the African Union, INTERPOL, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
“Nigeria’s participation in the African Union Border Programme and our collaboration with the UNODC in West Africa are proof that our work here connects directly to the wider international fight against terrorism, trafficking, and organized crime.”
While charging Commanders and other senior officers of the Border Patrol Section to remain diligent in the discharge of their duties, Egbetokun said, “Our duty is not only to act, but also to account. From this moment forward, every Commander must keep accurate records of achievements and submit detailed reports to Force Headquarters at the end of each month.
“These reports must highlight, at the very least, your successes in intercepting arms and ammunition, seizing narcotics and other contraband, and disrupting human trafficking networks while rescuing victims and holding traffickers to account.
“In addition, every other notable operational achievement – from currency seizures and smuggling disruptions, to intelligence breakthroughs and joint operations- must also be captured in your reports.
“This is not a suggestion, it is command responsibility. The absence of records will not be interpreted as peace or inactivity. It will be taken as failure of duty. Beyond reporting, I charge you to return to your duty posts with renewed determination and an unyielding resolve to make the Nigeria Police Force proud.
“Let your men and women see in you the example of courage, discipline, and innovation. Lead them firmly, inspire them deeply, and demand results that stand as proof of your stewardship.
“Every patrol you order, every checkpoint you strengthen, every network you dismantle must show the world that Nigeria’s borders are defended. And every monthly report you submit must testify that your command stood firm, delivered results, and upheld the honour of the Nigeria Police Force.
“This is not just about enforcement, it is about pride -pride in your uniform, pride in your service, and pride in your nation. Let history record that the Border Patrol Section rose to the challenge, defended Nigeria’s sovereignty, and made our country proud before the world. Go back determined. Lead with conviction. Deliver results. Make the Nigeria Police proud.”
He urged officers to reflect deeply on the enormous responsibility entrusted to them, saying, the safety of Nigeria, the prosperity of Africa, and indeed the stability of the wider world depend, in no small measure, on the vigilance and efficiency of the Border Patrol Section.
He added:”When Nigeria secures her borders, the ripple effect is felt across continents. The drugs we intercept here never reach the streets of Europe. The arms we seize do not fuel terrorism, banditry, kidnapping in Nigeria. The traffickers we stop do not prey on innocent lives across Africa or beyond. Your service here in Nigeria echoes across the globe-proving that a strong Nigeria means a safer world.
“Let it be written in history that the Border Patrol Section of the Nigeria Police Force stood firm when Nigeria needed them most. Let it be said that you did not falter at the gates of our nation. Let it be said that because you were faithful, Nigeria remained strong, Africa stood tall, and the world took notice.”
