The Commissioner of Police for Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has convened a high-level strategic meeting with the state’s top security brass. Gathering Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Tactical Commanders, the session served as a critical platform to address pressing issues of police conduct and redefine operational priorities within the nation’s commercial nerve center.
With a firm and unambiguous tone, CP Jimoh issued a stern warning against the deep-seated malpractices that have often eroded public trust, placing a specific spotlight on the need to protect the dignity of the state’s youth.
The Commissioner delivered a powerful reminder of the police’s constitutional obligation to serve and protect with integrity, directly confronting unprofessional behaviors that have long been a source of public grievance. He explicitly condemned extortion, harassment, and human rights abuses, labeling them as antithetical to the force’s core values.
In a particularly significant directive, CP Jimoh addressed the widespread and contentious practice of officers arbitrarily stopping young people on the road to search their mobile phones. He declared this action strictly prohibited, clarifying that a phone can only be examined as a formal exhibit in an established case under investigation, and even then, such a search must be conducted within the confines of a police station and in full compliance with legal procedures. T
his directive aims to curb a significant source of friction between the police and the younger demographic, reinforcing that crime prevention must be executed with a “human face” without subjecting citizens to unnecessary hardship.
While setting new standards for conduct, the Commissioner also highlighted the Command’s robust achievements in crime fighting over the past month, demonstrating that professionalism and effectiveness are not mutually exclusive. He showcased notable arrests, including that of Samsideen Oladiti, aka ‘Shameleon’, linked to violent crimes; Jude Onouha, a vehicle vandal who disguised as a security agent to infiltrate estates; and John Samuel, an ex-convict and hired assassin arrested for armed robbery and attempted murder. These successes, CP Jimoh asserted, are a testament to the Command’s unwavering commitment to rid Lagos of criminal elements and safeguard lives and property.
Striking a collaborative note, the Commissioner concluded by calling on Lagos residents to become active partners in security. He urged the public to continue supporting the police by providing timely and credible information from their localities, reinforcing the message that public safety is a shared responsibility.
This meeting, therefore, marks a pivotal moment—a clear directive from the top that the pathway to a safer Lagos is built on a foundation of professional integrity, public respect, and collaborative vigilance.
