The Lagos State Police Command has announced the deployment of more than 5,000 police officers across the state to ensure safety and order during the Christmas and New Year festivities. The move is part of a wide security plan designed to prevent crime, manage traffic, and reduce road accidents during the busy holiday period.
The command said the operation follows a directive from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, and is being carried out under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, CP Olohundare Jimoh. According to the police, the goal is to protect lives and property before, during, and after the celebrations.
Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, usually experiences a sharp increase in human and vehicular movement during the festive season. Millions of residents travel across the state to attend church services, visit family and friends, shop in markets, and relax at beaches, parks, and entertainment centres. This often leads to heavy traffic, road accidents, and increased security risks.
To address these challenges, the police command said it has put in place a comprehensive security strategy covering all parts of the state. Personnel have been drawn from conventional police units, tactical squads, and intelligence formations to monitor and respond to any threat capable of disturbing public peace.
According to the command, police officers will be visibly stationed at major roads, highways, and inner streets, as well as at locations known for heavy traffic and large gatherings. These include churches, mosques, markets, motor parks, shopping malls, recreational centres, nightclubs, and other public places.
Special attention is also being given to places of worship, especially during Christmas services and crossover night programmes, which often attract large crowds. The police said patrol teams will be on ground to ensure worshippers can celebrate without fear.
As part of the operation, marine police officers have been deployed to Lagos waterways to prevent criminals from using rivers and creeks to carry out illegal activities. Lagos has an extensive network of waterways, which are sometimes exploited by criminals, especially during busy periods.
The police said special security teams have been strategically positioned across the state, while Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), and heads of tactical units have been directed to intensify patrols and maintain constant surveillance. The aim, according to the command, is to deter criminals through high police visibility and quick response to distress calls.
CP Jimoh also instructed officers on duty to carry out their responsibilities with professionalism, courtesy, and firmness. He warned against any form of misconduct and assured the public that officers found acting unprofessionally would be sanctioned.
Traffic management is another major focus of the festive security plan. The command disclosed that more than 5,000 police personnel have been assigned specifically to traffic duties across Lagos. These officers will work on major highways, inner roads, and areas known for traffic congestion.
Traffic usually worsens in Lagos during the festive season due to increased travel, street trading, illegal parking, and reckless driving. The police said the deployment is aimed at easing traffic flow, reducing delays, and preventing avoidable road accidents.
The highlights on traffic control comes amid concerns over the rising number of road accidents during the yuletide period. In recent years, Lagos has recorded several fatal accidents linked to speeding, drunk driving, poor vehicle condition, and disregard for traffic rules.
To tackle this problem, CP Jimoh recently held a strategic meeting with the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, and other key safety and security stakeholders. The meeting focused on finding long-term solutions to road accidents and improving public safety.
Participants at the meeting included representatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Lagos State Fire Service, and the Federal Controller of Works. Discussions centred on better coordination, enforcement of traffic laws, road safety awareness, and emergency response during accidents.
The police also confirmed the deployment of joint task teams made up of conventional officers, tactical units, smart operatives, and intelligence personnel. These teams are expected to clamp down on traffic robbers, hoodlums, and other criminal elements who may try to take advantage of the festive atmosphere.
According to the command, criminals often exploit busy periods when people are distracted or carrying cash and valuables. The joint teams will conduct stop-and-search operations, patrol flashpoints, and respond swiftly to reports of suspicious activities.
Lagos has in the past experienced cases of traffic robbery, pickpocketing, and attacks on commuters, especially during peak travel periods. The police said the current deployment is meant to prevent a repeat of such incidents and reassure residents and visitors of their safety.
CP Jimoh reassured Lagos residents and visitors that the police command is fully prepared to maintain peace and security throughout the festive season and beyond. He said the police would continue to work closely with other security agencies and stakeholders to ensure a safe environment.
He also appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and obey the law. According to him, security is a shared responsibility, and public cooperation is key to preventing crime.
The Commissioner urged residents to report any suspicious movement or activity to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency lines. The emergency numbers provided by the command are 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, and 08039344870.