• Armed robbery: Lagos foils 28 incidents, arrests 71 suspects in four months

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of the South-West, Adegoke Mustapha Fayoade, has assured residents of Lagos State and the South-West geopolitical zone of adequate security.

He gave the assurance during his working tour of the six states in the region.

The visit provided a platform for discussions on emerging security threats, measures to prevent criminal infiltration into the South-West, and the need to strengthen the capacity of security agencies through technology and enhanced collaboration.

At the centre of the discussions was a shared commitment to ensuring that Lagos remains secure while serving as a model for innovative policing and intelligence gathering in Nigeria.

Speaking during the visit, Fayoade underscored the strategic importance of Lagos to national stability, stressing that the security of the state is closely tied to that of the country.

“If the security of Lagos is not solid, the security of Nigeria is in trouble,” he said. “But once Lagos remains stable and secure, it contributes significantly to national peace and economic prosperity.”

The senior police officer expressed confidence in the efforts of the Lagos State Government, the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) and security agencies operating in the state, noting that their collective commitment had helped Lagos stay ahead of many of the security challenges confronting other parts of the country.

He specifically advocated the deployment of body-worn cameras for police officers, explaining that the technology would help document field operations, protect officers against false allegations and strengthen public confidence in law enforcement.

Fayoade also emphasised the importance of aligning policing standards in Nigeria with global best practices, noting that technology would play a critical role in future security management.

The DIG further commended the LSSTF for its sustained support to the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, describing the Fund’s interventions over the years as a key factor in strengthening security operations across Lagos State.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the LSSTF, Dr Ayodele Ogunsan, commended the Inspector-General of Police for directing senior police officers to return to their operational zones to reassess and strengthen security strategies in response to emerging threats across the country.

While noting that the South-West remains relatively peaceful, he stressed the need for vigilance and proactive measures to prevent criminal elements from gaining a foothold in the region.

Ogunsan disclosed that Lagos State was intensifying investment in security technology as part of a broader strategy to improve crime prevention, intelligence gathering and operational response.

“We are migrating to technology. Before the end of the year, you will see it in reality. We have drone operations now going on effectively in Lagos. We have aerial surveillance through helicopters, and we are still doing more patrols to discover criminal hideouts,” he said.

“I promise you that the investment in technology by the Lagos State Government on security is ongoing and you will see it very clearly before the end of the year. This will make the work of the police more effective.”

The LSSTF chief also highlighted the role of intelligence gathering and citizen participation in strengthening security management, revealing that the Fund operates an intelligence unit designed to complement police operations and encourage feedback from residents.

Ogunsan further commended security agencies in Lagos for recent operational successes and praised the leadership of the state police command for maintaining public confidence through effective responses to security incidents.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, disclosed that 28 armed robbery incidents had been foiled, while 71 armed robbery suspects had been arrested since he assumed office on March 26, 2026.

He added that 133 suspected cultists had been arrested, while 44 murder cases had been reported within the period.

According to him, 35 murder suspects were arrested, while four traffic robbery suspects were apprehended and charged in court.

Fatai further stated that 60 firearms and 625 rounds of ammunition had been recovered.

In addition, 122 vehicles were impounded for driving against traffic, while 1,058 motorcycles were seized. A further 1,541 vehicles were impounded for illegally using the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor.

He, however, noted that the command urgently requires additional manpower, patrol vehicles equipped with communication gadgets, troop carriers and other critical logistics.

These, he said, include arms and ammunition, riot guns, smoke pistols, hand grenades, tear gas canisters, thunder blasts, bulletproof vests, ballistic helmets, respirators and other operational equipment necessary for effective policing.