The Lagos State Police Command has launched a new tactical security outfit known as the “Command Sweepers Squad” to tackle rising insecurity and criminal activities in Ikorodu and neighbouring communities.
The initiative was unveiled under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, following growing public concern over cases of robbery, cult clashes, street violence, and other criminal activities reported in parts of the Ikorodu axis.
The command said the special squad was created as a temporary intervention force aimed at restoring public confidence, strengthening police visibility, and improving security operations within affected communities.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police Abimbola Adebisi, the police explained that the squad consists of personnel drawn from several tactical formations and security agencies.
According to the statement, officers in the new squad include operatives from the Rapid Response Squad, Eko Strike Force, Police Mobile Force units, sister security agencies, and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force.
The police command said the combined operation became necessary due to increasing concerns raised by residents and community leaders over criminal incidents in some parts of Ikorodu and adjoining areas.
Over the past few months, residents in parts of Ikorodu have repeatedly complained about cases of armed robbery, attacks by suspected cult groups, street fighting, theft, and harassment by criminal gangs, especially at night.
Some residents had also called on security agencies and the Lagos State Government to take stronger measures to prevent further deterioration of the security situation in the area.
The police said the Command Sweepers Squad has now been stationed in Ijede to allow quick deployment and faster response to distress calls across Ikorodu and surrounding communities.
Ijede is considered strategically important because of its location within the Ikorodu division and its access routes to nearby communities.
To improve the operational capacity of the squad, the command said patrol vehicles and three Armoured Personnel Carriers were provided through the support of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.
The Security Trust Fund has for years supported security agencies in Lagos through the donation of patrol vehicles, communication gadgets, security equipment, and other logistics aimed at improving policing in the state.
According to the police statement, the newly created squad will focus on identifying criminal hideouts, black spots, and flashpoints linked to insecurity in the Ikorodu axis.
“The Squad has been strategically deployed to identify black spots and criminal hideouts to carry out intelligence-led operations, raids, stop-and-search duties, and confidence-building patrols aimed at flushing out criminal elements,” the statement said.
The police added that the operations would be carried out professionally and within the limits of the law.
Authorities also appealed to residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could assist in preventing crimes and tracking criminal suspects.
Community participation, the command said, remains important in tackling insecurity and ensuring safer neighbourhoods.
Ikorodu, one of the fastest-growing parts of Lagos State, has witnessed rapid population growth over the years because of increasing urban expansion from the Lagos mainland and the high cost of accommodation in other parts of the state.
The area has become home to many workers, traders, artisans, and business owners who commute daily to different parts of Lagos.
However, the growing population has also increased pressure on infrastructure and security within the axis.
In recent years, several communities in Ikorodu have experienced security challenges linked to cult-related violence, gang activities, kidnapping fears, and attacks on residents.
Security agencies have conducted different operations in the area in the past, leading to arrests of suspected criminals and the recovery of weapons and dangerous items.
The latest move by the Lagos State Police Command is therefore seen as part of broader efforts to strengthen security across the state, especially in areas considered vulnerable to criminal activities.
The Lagos State Government has also repeatedly stressed the importance of collaboration between residents and security agencies in maintaining law and order.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has on several occasions assured residents that the government remains committed to supporting security agencies with logistics and operational resources needed to protect lives and property.
Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, remains one of the busiest cities in Africa, with millions of residents and businesses depending heavily on stable security conditions for economic activities.
Because of its large population and economic importance, security concerns in the state often attract national attention.
Residents of Ikorodu have welcomed the new police initiative with cautious optimism, expressing hope that the deployment of additional tactical teams would help reduce criminal activities and improve public safety.
Some community leaders have also urged the police to sustain the operations beyond the initial intervention period and ensure that innocent residents are treated with respect during stop-and-search operations.
The police command, however, assured members of the public that officers attached to the Command Sweepers Squad would operate within professional standards and respect citizens’ rights while carrying out their duties.
For many residents, the launch of the squad represents a fresh attempt by authorities to restore peace and reassure the public that security agencies remain committed to protecting lives and property across Lagos State.