The Ports Authority Police, Western Command, has called for stronger collaboration with maritime journalists to enhance security across Nigeria’s ports and support the growth of the maritime economy.
Commissioner of Police CP Oluwatoyin Iyabode Agbaminoja made the appeal on Tuesday while receiving the newly elected executives of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria at the Command Headquarters in Apapa.
The MARAN delegation, led by President Oluyinka Onigbinde, said the visit was aimed at reaffirming commitment to safety, security, and operational efficiency within Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Onigbinde commended the Command for safeguarding ports and critical maritime assets, noting that security remains central to sustainable trade and economic development. He pledged MARAN’s continued support through responsible journalism, accurate reporting, and constructive engagement with stakeholders.
He added that the media has a crucial role in creating public awareness, promoting transparency, and highlighting issues that affect port efficiency and competitiveness.
Responding, CP Agbaminoja congratulated the new MARAN leadership and acknowledged the association’s longstanding contribution to credible reporting on maritime industry developments.
She said stronger cooperation between law enforcement and the media would boost public trust, improve security consciousness, and support national economic growth. According to her, effective communication and timely information sharing are essential for tackling security challenges in the port ecosystem.
“The media remains a strategic partner in achieving those objectives,” she stated, assuring the association of the Command’s readiness to maintain open channels of communication and foster partnerships to advance port security, maritime safety, and trade facilitation.
Stakeholders have consistently stressed that Nigeria’s ports, as critical gateways for international trade and revenue, require greater collaboration among security agencies, regulators, operators, and the media to strengthen surveillance, curb criminal activities, and improve efficiency.
The meeting ended with both the Ports Authority Police Command and MARAN reaffirming commitment to sustained engagement in support of a safer and more efficient maritime industry.
