The rhythmic clatter of a keyboard in his Ikoyi office pauses as Bestman Jumbo leans forward, his voice taking on the urgent tone of a man who’s seen both the promise and peril of Africa’s largest megacity. “Every unemployed youth is a security risk waiting to happen,” declares the publisher-turned-activist, whose dual roles as President of Team Nigeria for Change and incoming head of Lagos’ anti-land grabbing enforcement give him unique insight into the nexus between opportunity and crime.
Jumbo’s assessment of Lagos’ security landscape is nuanced – praising Governor Sanwo-Olu’s achievements in reducing brazen robberies while sounding the alarm on West Africa’s unchecked migration funneling into the city’s informal settlements. “We’ve turned former ‘area boys’ into neighborhood watch champions,” he reveals, describing Lagos’ unorthodox but effective community policing model that has transformed street toughs into intelligence assets. The approach, which Jumbo calls “security through belonging,” represents what he believes should be replicated across states – though he stops short of endorsing state police, favoring instead regional cooperation modeled after existing agricultural partnerships.
What emerges from Jumbo’s vision is a holistic security framework where economic inclusion serves as the first line of defense. He points to Lagos’ gender-balanced appointments and ethnically diverse cabinet as proof that good governance transcends tribal politics. “Illiteracy breeds tribalism,” he states bluntly, recalling how Lagos’ prosperity was built by Igbo traders, Yoruba landlords and Hausa artisans working in concert.
As afternoon shadows lengthen across his desk, Jumbo’s tone turns practical when discussing land grabbing – the scourge he’s preparing to combat through the new state agency. “Verify before you buy,” he warns prospective landowners, while assuring victims of the government’s commitment to recovering properties if not always refunds.
Whether discussing his NGO’s school outreach programs or his upcoming enforcement role, Jumbo’s message remains consistent: true security begins when every Lagosian has skin in the game. In a city where opportunity is the ultimate peacekeeper, his blueprint suggests that the most effective crime prevention tool might just be a paycheck.
