Policing Lagos: Why 15,597 officers can’t be everywhere

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By Emma Nnadozie

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A seemingly ordinary day in Festac, Lagos, turned into a frightening drama early this year when a well-dressed woman was allegedly attacked by more than 20 hoodlums following a minor road incident.

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The woman was beside her SUV when a commercial motorcycle rider reportedly crashed into her vehicle. Before she could understand what was happening, other riders and street youths allegedly descended on her, blaming her for the incident.

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Some reportedly banged on the vehicle and attacked her with dangerous objects. The disturbing part was that it happened in broad daylight, in the presence of a large crowd, yet no one immediately came to her rescue.

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According to accounts of the incident, the attack continued until a passerby rushed to a nearby police station for help. Policemen eventually arrived, causing the attackers to flee.

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The incident raises a fundamental question about security in Nigeria’s commercial capital: How effectively is Lagos being policed?

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A city under pressure

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Lagos occupies a unique position in Nigeria. As the country’s commercial capital and one of Africa’s largest metropolitan areas, it attracts millions of residents, investors, tourists and daily commuters.

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It hosts major seaports, airports, multinational corporations, financial institutions and critical national infrastructure. Its economic importance makes security not only a public-safety issue but also a national priority.

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Although Lagos has largely remained outside the epicentre of terrorism and widespread banditry affecting parts of northern Nigeria, it faces a complex urban security environment driven by rapid population growth, unemployment, urbanisation, inequality, heavy traffic and organised crime.

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Persistent threats include armed robbery, particularly around traffic congestion; “one-chance” robberies; cult-related violence; street gangs; car theft; burglary; cybercrime; financial fraud; and violence linked to land disputes and illegal land grabbing.

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The manpower question

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The Lagos State Police Command says it currently has 15,597 personnel, excluding officers attached to the Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Special Protection Unit and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit.

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For a megacity with millions of residents and a large daily influx of people, that manpower remains a major concern.

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The command operates more than 200 active pindown points across its 14 Area Commands. These are located at crime-prone spots, major roads, vulnerable locations and other areas requiring enhanced police visibility.

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The points complement foot and vehicular patrols and are intended to deter crime, monitor movement and improve response time.

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But visibility alone cannot guarantee public safety.

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Hotspots and community concerns

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Residents and observers have raised concerns about locations where criminal activity allegedly persists despite being known to security agencies.

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One such area is an enclave around the Apple Junction axis of Amuwo-Odofin, close to the road leading towards Ago Palace Way. Some residents allege that criminal elements operate there and that commercial motorcycle operators frequently use the location.

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These allegations require independent investigation and should not be interpreted as evidence that residents or motorcycle operators in the area are involved in crime.

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There have also been longstanding concerns about crime and street violence in parts of Alakara in Mushin, Ipodo in Ikeja, Obalende and Agege.

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For the police, the challenge is not simply identifying hotspots but sustaining operations capable of preventing criminal groups from establishing territorial control.

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Technology and intelligence

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Security experts argue that Lagos needs to move beyond conventional policing.

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CCTV cameras, digital crime databases, forensic tools, drones, improved communications and integrated command-and-control systems can help agencies detect threats, analyse intelligence and respond faster.

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Dr Timi Ajayi, a security analyst, said criminals often study their environment, identify vulnerabilities and monitor movement patterns before striking.

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“You can have one million police officers, but if they cannot reach the scene quickly because of traffic or other operational constraints, numbers alone will not solve the problem,” he said.

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Ajayi called for greater investment in CCTV coverage, drones and integrated monitoring systems, as well as stronger enforcement of existing requirements for CCTV installation in designated buildings.

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Marine and strategic security

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Lagos’ waterways also require greater attention.

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Joe Inegbenijie, Senior Partner at Davijey Integrated Services Ltd., said the state’s extensive waterways could provide entry and exit routes for criminal elements.

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He called for stronger marine policing, while urging greater security around schools, markets, transport terminals and places of worship.

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“Our children are highly vulnerable. Primary, secondary and tertiary institutions require greater security attention,” he said.

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Inegbenijie also advocated intelligence-gathering and analysis centres across the state’s senatorial districts and a stronger role for the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps in collecting community intelligence.

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Defence and counter-terrorism specialist, Dr Hashim Saludeen, similarly argued that policing Lagos should be measured not merely by the number of officers deployed but by capability, intelligence, technology, coordination and rapid response.

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What the police are doing

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The Lagos State Police Command says it has adopted a proactive, multi-dimensional strategy combining intelligence gathering, targeted operations, patrols, raids, community engagement and inter-agency cooperation.

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According to CSP Adebisi Abimbola, the command continues to deploy targeted operations under Operation Kò S’áyé, particularly in areas vulnerable to kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery and other serious crimes.

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The command says it is also strengthening police visibility, school protection, youth engagement, collaboration with local vigilante groups and joint task forces, as well as foot and vehicular patrols.

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In 2026, the command introduced the Command Sweepers Squad as part of efforts to improve rapid response and police visibility in crime-prone areas, including Ikorodu.

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Abimbola, however, acknowledged the fundamental challenge: “The reality is that 15,597 personnel cannot be everywhere at the same time in a megacity like Lagos.”

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The way forward

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Security in Lagos extends beyond the police.

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The state government, Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps, other security agencies, private security operators, businesses and community organisations all have roles to play.

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Inegbenijie believes Lagos has made commendable progress but needs a security system capable of keeping pace with its population growth.

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“The best form of security is prevention and protection, not merely crime fighting,” he said.

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The experts agree that increasing police numbers, improving officers’ welfare and providing operational equipment remain important.

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But manpower alone will not secure a megacity.

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Lagos needs intelligence-led policing, modern surveillance, rapid emergency response, stronger marine security, effective community partnerships and tighter accountability.

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The Festac incident illustrates how quickly an ordinary situation can become dangerous when intervention is delayed.

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For Lagos, the real challenge is therefore not simply having more police officers. It is building a security architecture capable of identifying threats early, responding quickly and preventing criminal groups from turning communities into territories beyond the reach of law enforcement.

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Perhaps, in the long term, the creation of state police could provide additional capacity to confront crime in Nigeria’s sprawling commercial capital.

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