In a strategic move to enhance security in Lagos, the new Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Moshood Jimoh, has introduced an innovative initiative aimed at strengthening safety measures across the state.

During his inaugural visit to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF, CP Jimoh shared his vision for a more robust security framework.

He was warmly received by LSSTF’s Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun, alongside Board Member Dr. Ayo Ogunsan and other key staff of the agency.

The Commissioner’s visit underscored his commitment to deepening collaborations between the police and security stakeholders in Lagos.

His proposed plan, which includes the formation of an ‘Eko Strike Force’ to complement existing rapid response efforts, is expected to fortify crime-fighting strategies and ensure a safer environment for residents.

Dr. Ogunsan, a known advocate of security reforms, reiterated his unwavering support for CP Jimoh’s vision, emphasising the importance of synergy between law enforcement and security funding agencies.

With this bold step, CP Jimoh signals a proactive approach to policing, setting the stage for innovative solutions to tackle crime and maintain law and order in Lagos.

The idea pushed by the Commissioner of Police is based on the success of the United Nations Habitat’s Policing Urban Space which is being adopted worldwide.

It is the Eko Strike Force which he proposed will engage mainly in focused policing of the nooks and corners and suburbs of the city while the Lagos Rapid Response Squad will focus on the urban centres.

He also advocated that the command centres of many tactical units, strike squads and units which are domiciled in Ikeja should be decentralised to other parts of the states such as Epe, Ikorodu, idimu to enhance security in the state.

Receiving the Lagos new CP, the Executive Secretary/CEO of Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Dr. Balogun said there is need to enlighten men and officers to be civil because what caused ENDSARS riot is still happening every day on the streets.

‘We see officers who are reasonable and compassionate. We have to start with this with regards to this strike force that you’re trying to create, it’s a laudable thing but don’t forget these guys are mobile men who by training are kind of combative.

We don’t want to create something in one breath, trying to solve a problem and now causing another problem. So sir, whoever you’re going to be choosing, please impress on them that this is a civil regime. It is a democratic regime and they are answerable to the civil authority.’

‘I am sure you know, sir that Nigerians are very agitated. Yes, they are very agitated now. So we must try to do things in a very civil way.’

‘On the point you raised about a multi-sectoral approach to crime, I think in your capacity as CP of Lagos, we can hold a roundtable meeting with stakeholders. But you see, a lot of times, these things are not thought about. Everybody always thinks that crime is all about physicality.

For instance, you go to some areas and see abandoned properties abound there. The simple solution of making the fences and gates of those places visible will solve 80% of the crime there because if I can see what you are doing inside, it will be difficult for you to perpetrate anything wrong. Come to GRA, look at the activities going on in those areas from abandoned buildings that the fences are raised.’

‘I think we will be willing to support you on that, to host it so we call all stakeholders together on a roundtable and discuss these issues. I recall as a boy that I saw my father’s building plan and I think you have to take it to the department of health, there must be a reason for such. How can you have big structures and establishments, and people cannot install CCTV there? The Police must be able to see the footage and combat crime. We’re willing to support that roundtable meeting so that we can approach these things head-on.’

‘I talked about FRSC for instance. Yeah, their mandate is safety on the roads but imagine that they stopped a vehicle now and the officer is observing why is the boot of this car so heavy? As a law enforcement officer, he should be able to ask can I see your boot? You can open that boot and find four dead bodies there. That is the way crime is approached. It cannot be that, the FRSC feels that my job only is those particulars of vehicles. So I think you can drive this conversation and we are willing and ready to support you on that.’

‘I want to thank you for your service to our country. I always do that because those of us that work with you know what you go through. Somebody will say, why are you giving the Police air conditioner? so I ask don’t the Police deserve air conditioners? It’s the psyche of our people. It’s the mindset of our people.’

In his speech at the visit, CP Jimoh who took office earlier in February this year said: ‘I want to take time out to appreciate the Executive Secretary and appreciate Lagos State Security Trust Fund for all what you have been doing for the Lagos State Police Command that have made the job of policing in Lagos much more easier.

Lagos is a center of excellence and Lagos is a pacesetter across the country. The Security Trust Fund is being replicated across the country. Also today, you have RRS in Abuja, and the postings come from Force Headquarters but the funding partly comes from the FCT. What the FCT used to have is what we call Abuja Crime Control Squad, but because they know that RRS is working and has a broad-based blueprint in ensuring adequate security in Lagos, that is now being replicated.’

In 2010, the UN Habitat started a project in Nigeria called Policing Urban Space. Since then, there has not been follow-up, either from the FCT administration or from the federal government on Policing Urban Space, which is an initiative of the UN Habitat. We had a lengthy meeting with them, their headquarters is in Kenya while the regional headquarters is in Abuja Nigeria, which covers the whole of West Africa.’

‘They are very happy that we are coming to them so that they can create what we call a template to work for a safer Lagos though we already have the structure in place in Lagos, but if we don’t have such an organization to channel a roadmap into which you can build on, it won’t be good enough. I know that Governor Sanwo-Olu is very much concerned about improving on what he met on ground. We have been given the comprehensive blueprint of what is expected of us and probably when we meet Mr. Governor, we will present to him. I discussed with Dr. Ayo that we are thinking of establishing what we call the Eko-Strike Force.’

‘We have the RRS which is an elite police team. Then if we have the Eko-strike force which is going to have a double face – the overt and the covert. The covert will essentially be populated by officers who are going to be undercover, our tactical escort. The vehicle they are going to use will be completely different from what the overt will be using. The overt, at the initial stage will have large numbers of vehicles and it’s going to be an all mobile patrol team.

They are going to be stationed in Surulere at the area C Command Headquarters. If there’s any incident on the island, they can swiftly move as a team and if on the mainland, they can swiftly move as a team. Each of the team will be from MOPOL 2, MOPOL 22, 23, 43, and 49. That will be what will be prescribed on their vehicles so that they can move jointly, part of the vehicle that you are giving us will be for that purpose.’

‘The covert team will be the tactical squad. They will not use conventional police patrol vehicles. Primarily what we used to do in Abuja then is to use a space bus. We can paint the bus in regular commercial bus colors so that they can walk undercover and be able to attend to the urgent situation at hand. That’s what we discussed that we’re going to bring on board to make a difference. This equally will be integrated into the Policing Urban Space plan that we have with the UN Habitat.’

Dr. Ayo Ogunsan, a Board Member of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), has expressed strong support for the innovative security strategies proposed by the new Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Moshood Jimoh.

Speaking during CP Jimoh’s inaugural visit to the LSSTF, Dr. Ogunsan commended the Commissioner’s drive, diligence, and strategic approach to policing since assuming office.

He lauded Jimoh’s composure and resilience, especially in navigating the challenges that accompanied his new role.

With great optimism, Ogunsan assured CP Jimoh of unwavering backing from Lagos State and pledged his personal commitment to ensuring the success of his initiatives.

“You have engaged my expertise and experience in shaping these ideas, from development to execution. You have my word—I will put my energy behind you. God bless you on this new journey, which is a defining moment in your career as a police officer in the Nigeria Police Force,” Ogunsan affirmed.

His remarks underscored the importance of collaboration between law enforcement and key stakeholders in advancing security solutions for the state.