The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has called on security agencies in Lagos State to uphold high standards of integrity, discipline and professionalism in the discharge of their duties, stressing that public trust depends largely on their conduct.
The monarch made the appeal on Thursday while receiving the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, and a delegation of officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during separate courtesy visits to his palace on Lagos Island.
He told the visiting officials that the reputation of both the police and the anti-corruption agency is directly tied to the behaviour of their personnel, warning that any lapse in ethics could weaken public confidence in law enforcement institutions.
According to him, officers must remain committed to their responsibilities and avoid actions that could damage the image of their organisations or the justice system as a whole.
“The police job is one that, if you carry it out with honesty and sincerity of purpose, you will end well. If you do otherwise, the consequences are also there,” Akiolu said.
The Oba, who previously served in the Nigeria Police Force before becoming monarch, drew from his experience to advise officers to maintain moral discipline and avoid negative influences that could affect their performance.
He urged them to remain focused, cautious about gossip, and guided by conscience in the discharge of their duties.
“Be close to God, do not listen to gossip, and let your conscience guide you,” he added.
Akiolu acknowledged that the Nigeria Police Force often faces public criticism, but he noted that many officers continue to serve with dedication and integrity despite the challenges.
He also highlighted the need for continuous training and retraining of security personnel, especially in the areas of professionalism, accountability, and handling of public complaints such as abuse of power.
According to him, improving welfare conditions, supervision, and operational standards would help reposition the police for better service delivery and stronger relations with communities.
The monarch expressed confidence in the leadership of the Lagos police command, urging the commissioner to strengthen community policing strategies and improve intelligence gathering at the grassroots level.
He also encouraged closer collaboration between the police, traditional institutions, and local stakeholders in order to enhance security across the state.
Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, has a large and complex security environment due to its population size, economic activities, and high level of urban migration. Over the years, authorities have continued to explore ways to improve policing, reduce crime, and strengthen community trust.
Akiolu assured the police leadership of his continued support in maintaining peace and stability in the state, noting that traditional rulers play an important role in conflict resolution and community mobilisation.
Earlier in his remarks, Commissioner Tijani said his visit to the palace was both a mark of respect for tradition and an opportunity to seek royal blessings for his assignment in Lagos.
He described the Oba as a father figure whose advice remains valuable to security operations in the state.
“I have come as a son to seek the blessings of my father,” he said, adding that respect for traditional institutions remains important in maintaining peace and order in society.
Tijani also noted that his previous experience working in Lagos would help him improve coordination among security agencies and strengthen operational efficiency in the state.
He pledged to build on existing structures to ensure better security response and stronger collaboration with communities.
Also speaking during the visit, the Lagos Zonal Director of the EFCC, Bawa Kaltungo, stressed the importance of professionalism and ethical conduct in maintaining the credibility of the anti-graft agency.
He said the commission remains committed to intensifying its fight against corruption through investigations, prosecutions, and public sensitisation campaigns.
According to him, the EFCC is not only focused on maintaining its current efforts but also on improving its operations to achieve better results.
“We do not intend to maintain the tempo; we intend to improve on it. As our chairman often says, we must strive to do our best and ensure we do the right thing. Corruption concerns all of us, not only the EFCC,” Kaltungo said.
He also called on members of the public to support the commission by providing credible information that can assist in ongoing investigations.
Kaltungo assured that the EFCC places strong emphasis on protecting the identity of informants, noting that confidentiality is a key part of its operations.
“The EFCC is one of the safest places to provide information, and confidentiality is guaranteed. We do not expose our informants; otherwise, people will stop coming forward,” he said.
He explained that even within investigative teams, access to sensitive information about informants is tightly controlled to ensure their safety and encourage more public cooperation in the fight against corruption.
The visit highlighted the importance of collaboration between traditional institutions and security agencies in addressing crime, corruption, and other social challenges in Lagos State.