The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the Maritime Command, Mohammad Musa Katsina, has embarked on the restructuring of the Command for more effectiveness.

Katsina, who took over the Command on April 13, 2016, has also established inter-agency agreement for the training of the officers under him.

At a maiden meeting with the officers and men of the Command on Thursday, the AIG announced the creation of two offices to ensure better effectiveness in its operations.

These are the Surveillance, Intelligence and Investigation Department to be headed by a Deputy Superintendent of Police, Salahudeen Lawan, and the Legal/Public Relations Office, headed by an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Omolola Odutola.

The AIG promised that more offices will be created to strengthen the operations of the Maritime Command in the coming weeks.

A statement on Friday by ASP Odutola said AIG Katsina, who is well grounded in investigation techniques and crime combating, said his mission is to restructure the Maritime Command in response to the recent needs to quell crises on the nation’s waterways.

Odutola said in the statement: “This can be seen from the sophistication of the modus operandi of robbery cases that has happened in recent past.

“So also did the AIG vow to quell the issues of pipeline vandalisation, tackle sea pirates and checkmate excessive recklessness of smugglers on our waterways.”

To this end, Katsina was said to have put in place quick rescue responders and viable divers in his Command.

He is also said to be working with sister security agencies to train police officers on aquatic life and aquatic combat operations.

The AIG is said to be optimistic that during his tenure, positive impacts would be felt by all operators and stakeholders in the Maritime Sector.

Katsina, according to the statement, has commenced the restructuring of the command in the bid to ensure commitment by personnel.

He told the officers at the meeting on Thursday that only those without clean records have something to fear under him.

He said it is now a must that requisite passes must be obtained from the Administration Department before anyone proceeds on any form of leave, while any officer who is reported sick must obtain proper documentation before proceeding on excuse duty.

This, the statement said, is in the attempt to organise the personnel working in the Command.

Katsina said his operations would be intelligence driven, while urging members of the society to give their undivided support.

He added: “Only deviants are scared of sanctions. My intention is to fight miscreants and their likes within the 20 states of the Maritime jurisdiction of this Command.”

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