The Maritime Police Command has officially welcomed its new head, Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Chinedu Oko, who has assumed duty as the 23rd AIG in charge of the Command at the Force Headquarters Annex, Obalende, Lagos.
Oko, a seasoned officer with more than 30 years of distinguished service, took over from AIG Musa Yusuf Garba, who has been redeployed to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Kaduna.
Born in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Oko holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Literary Studies from the University of Calabar. He joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1992 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police and has served in strategic departments of the Force, including Administration, Intelligence, Investigation, and Operations.
He has also attended several local and international intelligence courses and was a pioneer facilitator at the Police Intelligence School, Enugu. His career includes serving as Commissioner of Police, Homicide Section, FCID Annex, Lagos, and most recently as AIG, Department of Logistics and Supply at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
As part of his assumption of office, AIG Oko delivered his maiden lecture to officers and men of the Maritime Police Command on Thursday.
During the session, he emphasized professionalism, discipline, and loyalty as the pillars of effective maritime policing, while urging personnel to uphold the values of integrity, dedication, and teamwork.
He outlined his strategic focus areas, pledging to prioritize personnel welfare, enhance capacity development, and provide operational support. He also underscored the importance of fostering strong collaboration with maritime stakeholders to secure Nigeria’s waterways and safeguard the nation’s blue economy.
“The integrity, dedication, and teamwork of our officers will determine the operational success of this Command,” Oko stated, calling on officers to align with the reform agenda of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun.
The Command, through its Public Relations Officer, ASP Adebayo Rasheed, assured maritime stakeholders, sister agencies, and the general public that under Oko’s leadership, it would remain committed to professionalism, operational efficiency, and the protection of Nigeria’s maritime assets.
