Don’t Shield Criminals, Lagos CP Warns Residents

Kehinde Adeleye

Residents of Lagos have been urged to report suspicious persons and activities in their communities and avoid shielding suspected criminals as part of efforts to tackle cultism, drug abuse and other security challenges.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, made the appeal on Thursday at a stakeholders’ security meeting organised by the Area D Police Command in Mushin, Lagos.

Tijani said fighting crime should not be left to the police alone, stressing that residents, traditional rulers, community leaders, youths and other stakeholders had important roles to play in maintaining peace.

“Don’t leave crime-fighting to the police alone. All of us must take part. Let us collaborate with the intelligence and security agencies so that we can reduce crime in our communities,” he said.

The commissioner urged residents to provide timely information about suspicious persons and activities, assuring them that such information would be appropriately handled.

He also warned communities against providing shelter or support for criminal elements, saying residents should not allow criminals to establish themselves in their neighbourhoods.

“If we are not criminals, why do we allow criminals to infiltrate our areas? We should not welcome or accommodate criminals in our communities,” Tijani said.

The CP commended residents, police officers, other security agencies and community stakeholders for contributing to the relative peace recorded in the area.

He, however, identified cultism, drug abuse and other criminal activities as continuing concerns that required collective action.

Tijani also expressed concern over the proliferation of small arms and ammunition in some parts of the area, urging residents to report anyone found in possession of illegal weapons.

He called on traditional rulers, community leaders and youths to take active roles in conflict resolution, crime prevention and maintaining peace.

Speaking ahead of the 2027 general elections, the commissioner urged residents to preserve peaceful relationships and avoid allowing political differences to create security problems in their communities.

“Election will come and go, but we will still remain where we are. We have to ensure peace in our communities,” he said.

Earlier, the Area D Commander, ACP Bamidele Awoniyi, commended Tijani for supporting initiatives aimed at reducing crime and strengthening community policing.

Awoniyi said the commissioner’s approach to tackling cultism, armed violence and other security challenges had contributed to improved security in the command.

He recalled that Tijani, while serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, supported the initiation of a community stakeholders’ meeting by the Native Foundation Empowerment Foundation in July 2025.

According to Awoniyi, the meeting brought together community leaders and other stakeholders to discuss youth violence, conflict resolution and community-based strategies for promoting peace.

He also commended the establishment of anti-cultism units across area commands in Lagos, describing the measure as an effort to tackle cult-related activities.

Awoniyi assured the CP that officers in the command remained committed to their duties while respecting human rights and the rule of law.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the police, Police Community Relations Committee, Community Development Associations, Community Development Committees, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, traditional institutions, religious organisations, market leaders, youth groups, transport unions and other security stakeholders.