Collaborate with police to fight crime, Lagos CP urges residents

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Fatai Tijani, has urged residents and other stakeholders to collaborate with security agencies to tackle crime and sustain peace in their communities.

Tijani made the call on Thursday at a stakeholders’ security meeting organised by the Area D Police Command, Mushin, at the command’s premises.

He said effective policing could not be achieved without the active participation of residents.

He stressed that community-based policing required partnership among the police, traditional rulers, community leaders, youths and other stakeholders.

“The collective goal is to create a peaceful and secure environment where residents can go about their activities without fear, ” he said.

Tijani commended residents, police officers, other security agencies and stakeholders for contributing to the relative peace recorded in the area.

He, however, said there were still pockets of crime, particularly cultism, drug abuse and other criminal activities, which required collective efforts to address.

“Do not leave crime-fighting to the police alone. All of us must take part.

‘’Let us collaborate with the intelligence and security agencies, so that we can reduce crime in our communities,” he said.

Tijani urged residents to provide security agencies with information on suspicious persons and activities, assuring them that such information would be treated appropriately.

He said traditional rulers, community leaders and youths had important roles to play in maintaining peace, resolving conflicts and preventing criminal activities.

Tijani also urged residents not to shield criminals or allow criminal elements to infiltrate their communities.

“If we are not criminals, why do we allow criminals to infiltrate our areas? We should not welcome or accommodate criminals in our communities,” he said.

He expressed concern over the proliferation of small arms and ammunition in some parts of the area, urging residents to report anyone found in possession of illegal arms to security agencies.

The commissioner also called for peaceful conduct ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging residents not to allow political differences to disrupt the peace of their communities.

“Election will come and go, but we will still remain where we are. We have to ensure peace in our communities,” Tijani said.

Earlier, the Area D Commander, ACP Bamidele Awoniyi, commended Tijani for supporting initiatives aimed at reducing crime and strengthening community policing.

Awoniyi said the commissioner’s leadership and approach to tackling cultism, armed violence and other security challenges had contributed to the improved security situation in the command.

He recalled that Tijani, while serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, supported the initiation of a community stakeholders’ meeting by the Native Foundation Empowerment Foundation in July 2025.

He said the meeting brought together community leaders and other stakeholders to discuss youth violence, conflict resolution and community-based strategies for promoting peace.

Awoniyi also commended the establishment of anti-cultism units across area commands in the state, describing it as a proactive measure to curb cult-related activities.

He said Tijani’s record of discipline, integrity and operational excellence continued to inspire officers and stakeholders.

“Under your leadership, we are confident that the command will attain greater heights in public safety,” he said.

Awoniyi assured the commissioner that officers in the command remained committed to discharging their duties with respect for human rights and the rule of law.

It was reported that the meeting was attended by representatives of the police, Police Community Relations Committee; Community Development Associations and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority.

Others are traditional institutions, religious organisations, market leaders, youth groups, transport unions and other security stakeholders.