As Lagos prepares for the beehive of activities that characterise the New Year’s Eve especially the Crossover Night, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Moshood Jimoh on Wednesday, 31st December, led a large-scale ‘Show of Force’ and confidence-building patrol across strategic locations in the state to reassure residents and visitors of adequate security, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report.
The operation, which forms part of an ongoing crime-prevention initiative that began in September, involved tactical units of the Command including the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Eko Strike Force, Task Force, and other specialized teams.
Speaking with NAOSNP members and other pressmen during the patrol, CP Jimoh said the exercise was designed to sustain peace during the festive season and demonstrate the readiness of the Police to protect lives and property. “Since September, on a daily basis, we have been patrolling the entire streets of Lagos, and the results are clear. There is no crime of any concern in Lagos as we speak,” he said.
He disclosed that the Command has made adequate deployment across the state, noting that the peaceful celebration of Christmas and the Eyo Festival, held for the first time in nearly eight years, reflected the effectiveness of the Police strategy. “Christmas was celebrated in peace, the Eyo Festival was peaceful, and thousands of events across Lagos have all been incident-free. Today’s patrol is to assure Lagosians that we are fully prepared for the crossover night,” Jimoh stated.
The Show of Force covered major corridors and flashpoints across Lagos and its outskirts, including: Ojodu-Berger Expressway, Lagos Island, with a foot patrol around Iga Idungaran (the Oba’s Palace), Adeniyi, and adjoining routes, the Eko Atlantic City, the newly opened Lagos Coastal Road, from the Eko-Atlantic axis down to the end of the completed stretch, major highways and entry routes into Lagos, including patrol extensions toward the Arepo in Ogun State, as well as key recreational, nightlife and commercial zones across the metropolis.
At the Coastal Road, CP Jimoh explained that massive deployment had eliminated earlier traffic violations and accidents recorded shortly after the road was opened.
“We have deployed over 30 patrol teams here, supported by tactical squads. From the opening of this road till now, there has been no crime and no fatal accident,” he said.
The Commissioner also highlighted enhanced marine security, especially in riverine areas such as Ikorodu, Epe and adjoining coastal communities, with the deployment of nine gunboats approved by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, and the introduction of a tactical unit codenamed “Submarine,” working with the Marine Police. “Lagos is not a safe haven for criminals. We are policing the land, the waterways, and extending patrols beyond state boundaries where threats may arise,” Jimoh said.
CP Jimoh warned against the spread of false security-related information on social media, describing fear-mongering as a criminal offence under the Cybercrime Act. “There is no record of bandits, Boko Haram elements, or mass arrests in Lagos. Those who create fear through false information will be investigated and prosecuted,” he cautioned.
He assured Lagosians, Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, and foreign visitors in the country for the festivities that security operations would continue beyond the New Year Day into January and throughout 2026.
“We are bringing policing to the doorstep of every Lagosian. This will not stop. We are going into the new Year with renewed vigour and stronger strategies,” he said.
The patrol team included the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations), ACP Lawrence Ehindero, Commander of RRS, CSP Shola Jejeloye, and other senior officers.
CP Jimoh concluded by wishing residents a peaceful Crossover and prosperous New Year, reaffirming the Command’s commitment to people-centered and intelligence-driven policing across Lagos State.
