Chiemelie Ezeobi
The Lagos State Police Command has stepped up efforts to strengthen security across the state, with the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, directing Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to intensify intelligence gathering, strengthen community engagement and enforce regulations against vehicles operating with concealed or missing number plates, of which he will kick off today.
The directive was issued during a strategic security meeting convened by the police commissioner with Area Commanders, DPOs and crime reporters at the Officers’ Mess, Ikeja, Lagos, as part of ongoing efforts to review the state’s security architecture and align operational priorities with the vision of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
During the engagement, Fatai identified the growing trend of vehicles moving around without visible registration numbers as a major security concern, warning that such practices create opportunities for criminal activities and make investigations more difficult.
He stressed that no vehicle should be driven on public roads without a properly displayed number plate and directed police formations across the state to enforce compliance.
The commissioner explained that only individuals specifically recognised under existing laws and security protocols are permitted to cover their number plates under clearly defined circumstances, adding that all other motorists must comply with the law.
To ensure effective implementation, Fatai mandated Area Commanders and DPOs to intensify enforcement within their jurisdictions, describing the move as part of broader efforts to deny criminals the anonymity often used to perpetrate crimes.
Beyond enforcement operations, the police commissioner said the command had expanded its stakeholder engagement programmes at both command and divisional levels to deepen collaboration between the police and the communities they serve.
He directed DPOs to maintain regular interactions with residents, traditional rulers, community leaders, market associations, transport unions and other critical stakeholders in order to improve intelligence gathering and strengthen community based policing.
The commissioner also assured Lagos residents that the command was fully prepared to provide adequate security during forthcoming electoral activities, noting that officers and operational assets had been placed on heightened alert to ensure the protection of lives, property and democratic processes.
Fatai emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among security agencies, describing Lagos as a strategic economic hub whose size, population and connectivity require coordinated responses to emerging threats.
According to him, joint security patrols are being sustained in border communities, waterways and other vulnerable locations through collaboration with sister security agencies and neighbouring state police commands.
He disclosed that security operations in border towns have been strengthened through intelligence driven raids, surveillance activities and closer cooperation among divisional formations operating along interstate corridors.
The commissioner also expressed concern over the growing spread of false security alerts and unverified reports on social media, warning that such actions often generate unnecessary panic and erode public confidence.
Referring to recent incidents in which fabricated claims of bandit infiltration caused anxiety among residents, Fatai maintained that investigations conducted by security agencies found no evidence of such threats within Lagos State.
He cautioned content creators, teachers and other individuals against producing, circulating or amplifying misleading security related content for online engagement, stressing that anyone found deliberately spreading false alarms would face prosecution in accordance with the law.
Responding to questions from journalists, the commissioner reaffirmed that Lagos continues to enjoy one of the strongest inter agency security partnerships in the country, driven by regular strategic meetings, intelligence sharing and coordinated operations among security stakeholders.
He noted that the command’s intelligence network had recently contributed to the disruption of criminal activities and helped prevent potential security breaches in different parts of the state.
Fatai further disclosed plans to engage commercial motorcycle operators and transport unions in security awareness campaigns aimed at improving passenger profiling, enhancing information sharing and promoting vigilance across communities.
Reassuring residents of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, the commissioner urged members of the public to remain law abiding, support security agencies with credible information and continue to cooperate with ongoing initiatives designed to keep Lagos safe.
He reiterated that security remains a collective responsibility and pledged that the Lagos State Police Command would continue to deploy all lawful means necessary to preserve peace, maintain public order and combat crime across the state.
