New Lagos CP takes over, promises accountability, change

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The new Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr Fatai Tijani, during his inaugural address at the command headquarters in Ikeja on Thursday, (NAN)

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The newly appointed Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr Fatai Tijani, has pledged sweeping reforms aimed at improving public safety, accountability, and community engagement.

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Tijani, during his inaugural address at the command headquarters in Ikeja on Thursday, outlined a vision for modern policing that combines professionalism, technology and strong community partnerships.

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He described policing in Lagos as both unique and complex, noting that the state’s dynamic environment presents significant security challenges that required innovative and collaborative solutions.

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The CP said that public safety remains fundamental to societal progress, adding that the police under his leadership would be prepared to confront emerging threats.

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According to him, modern policing must evolve alongside technological advancements and changing patterns of crime.

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The police boss highlighted the importance of adopting technology-driven strategies to improve intelligence gathering, crime prevention, and operational efficiency.

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“Digital tools and data systems will play a key role in addressing contemporary security challenges,” he said.

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The CP also stressed the need for strong collaboration between the police and other security agencies, including the military and intelligence services.

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“Such partnerships are essential to ensuring a coordinated and effective response to crime across the state,” he said.

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He said that a major focus of his administration would be community policing.

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Tijani called on residents to see the police as partners in maintaining peace and security, encouraging greater cooperation and information sharing between citizens and law enforcement.

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He also underscored the importance of youth engagement, stating that young people must be actively involved in building safer communities.

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Tijani said that by fostering trust and inclusion, the police could help prevent crime and promote social stability.

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On professionalism, Tijani assured that officers would uphold discipline, integrity, and respect for human rights.

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He warned against police misconduct, including brutality, and reiterated that all officers would be held accountable under the law.

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“The era of unprofessional conduct will not be tolerated; strict adherence to rules of engagement and ethical standards will guide police operations,” he said.

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To improve performance, the CP announced plans to enhance training, welfare and capacity-building programmes for officers.

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He said better-equipped and well-trained personnel would be more effective in delivering quality service to the public.

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Tijani also outlined operational priorities, including increasing police visibility, tackling crime hotspots, and strengthening response mechanisms across the state.

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He added that efforts would be made to improve recruitment, training and retention within the force.

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In a move to promote transparency, he encouraged members of the public to report complaints through official channels, including the Police Complaint Response Unit, assuring them that grievances would be addressed promptly.

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Reaffirming his commitment to accountability and service, Tijani said the command would continue to pursue reforms aimed at building trust, ensuring safety and delivering effective policing for all residents.

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The former Commissioner of Police, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, who was promoted to Assistant Inspector-General of Police and redeployed to head Zone 2 Command, expressed confidence in his successor during handover.

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Jimoh described Tijani as capable of building on existing security gains and ensuring the continued safety of lives and property. (NAN)

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