The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, Moshood Jimoh, yesterday promised that there would be no sacred cows in the enforcement of the law, and that anyone found wanting would have his or her day in court.

The AIG made the statement at the Zonal Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos, where he was presented with the Most Outstanding Anti-Crime Police Chief in West and Central Africa 2025 award.

Jimoh emerged as the recipient of the award at the 19th Africa Security Watch Awards held in The Gambia.

Speaking at the event, the President and CEO of Security Watch Africa Initiatives, Patrick Agbambu, said the award was in recognition of the AIG’s exploits in curbing crime.

Agbambu explained that the Africa Security Watch Awards began in 2004 and were held consecutively in Nigeria between 2004 and 2008 until other African countries, through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, requested that the event be rotated among member nations.

He said: “The event was held outside Nigeria for the first time when Ghana decided to host it. South Africa and other countries later joined. We have also held the event in the United Arab Emirates, Doha, and Texas. The Africa Security Watch Awards have become a movement to sensitise Africa to the issue of insecurity because we believe there is a need to look inward at our security challenges.

“All African countries face similar security challenges. We believe Africa should be able to collectively provide alternative ideas that can help solve our insecurity problems.

“We believe that if we can solve the problems that lead to insecurity, then the security forces will be better positioned to address what we are experiencing. If we don’t deal with the factory that produces crime, it will continue regardless of how hard we fight it.

Unfortunately, political leaders on the continent have not demonstrated the political will to address the root causes of crime.”

Responding, Jimoh said: “I adopted some strategies when I became the Commissioner of Police in Lagos, and those approaches helped reduce crime and criminality.

However, that would not have been possible without the support of the Inspector-General of Police.

“There were challenges when I assumed office as Commissioner of Police in Lagos, so we established the Eko Strike Force, which has grown from four patrol vehicles to more than 18. Our greatest strength, however, lies in the people. Lagosians and the people of Ogun State are law-abiding and always willing to assist us.

“I am happy to receive this award. I first heard about it in 2008 when I was the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the FCT Police Command, and I never imagined I would one day be found worthy of receiving it. This award is dedicated to all the officers and personnel serving under Zone 2.”

On crime, he added: “Nothing can stop us from enforcing the law. The rich and the poor, the high and the mighty, anyone found wanting will face the law accordingly. Where matters are before the court, we should allow the judicial process to run its course before casting aspersions. I have also been sued in court, and I responded appropriately. Therefore, let the law take its course, and anyone accused of an offence should have his or her day in court.”