Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, has called for stronger collaboration between security agencies and residents to enhance safety in the state. He made the appeal on Thursday during a stakeholders' security meeting in Ikeja, held in preparation for the 2026 National Police Week. Tijani stressed that effective policing requires public involvement, highlighting that community policing initiatives have already delivered positive outcomes in Lagos. He credited increased engagement between residents and security operatives for improved crime prevention and urged the public to report suspicious activities promptly.
The commissioner noted that National Police Day will be observed on April 7, with a series of events designed to build trust and improve communication between the police and the public. He emphasized that intelligence from citizens is crucial, as police cannot be physically present everywhere. Tijani expressed concern over rising cult-related activities among youths and called on parents, guardians, and community leaders to help steer young people away from crime. He also warned against electoral violence ahead of the next election cycle, urging political actors to remain peaceful. Security will be heightened during Easter, with officers deployed to worship centers and other key areas.
Fatai Tijani is asking Lagosians to do the job of the police by reporting crimes and mentoring youths, even as his officers struggle with visibility and trust. When the commissioner frames public vigilance as a solution, it reveals how stretched the force is in a city of over 20 million. No amount of community appeals can replace underfunded, understaffed policing. Until the state invests more in security infrastructure, residents will keep being handed the burden of their own protection.
