Lagos CP vows to tackle extortion, impunity
•Command to embark on sanitation, medical outreach By Precious Igbonwelundu The Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP) Fatai Tijani, has vowed to deal with any operative or team found culpable
•Command to embark on sanitation, medical outreach
By Precious Igbonwelundu
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP) Fatai Tijani, has vowed to deal with any operative or team found culpable of extorting the populace. He also warned against impunity and other unprofessional conduct capable of bringing the command to disrepute.
The CP gave the warning during his maiden lecture to field and unit commanders at the Officers' Mess, Ikeja, yesterday.
According to Fatai, the era of delaying matters that ought to be charged to court to extort parties under the guise of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is over, warning that he would deal decisively with anyone caught.
The police chief urged Lagos residents to speak out whenever their rights are infringed upon, assuring that the matter would be investigated and punishments meted out to deserving parties.
He advised operatives of the command to serve the public with humility and integrity, stressing that it would help build trust and regain confidence in the police.
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The commissioner stressed that modern policing must prioritise service to the public rather than authority over citizens, adding that the era of officers lording over the people was over.
He charged his officers to remain approachable, respectful, and professional, in line with global best policing practices.
Fatai also vowed to go after cultists and other criminal remnants hibernating in parts of the state, saying that their locations were already known and they would feel the heat.
"We know where the cultists are in Agege, Mushin... We will take the heat to them and get them off our streets. Our policing will be visible and proactive across communities. There must be increased patrols and strategic deployments to serve as deterrence to would-be criminals," he said.
He revealed plans to reactivate convoy patrols across area commands in the state, appreciating the government for the provision of vehicles.
These patrols, he added, would also target emerging threats like land grabbing, a growing concern in Lagos.
Reaffirming his leadership stance, the CP said officers would be held to higher standards of professionalism, dedication, and accountability.
He pledged to ensure that policing in Lagos reflects discipline, respect for human rights, and adherence to the rule of law.
Meanwhile, , the Lagos Command will on Monday embark on a sanitation exercise and medical outreach.
This was revealed by the Commissioner of Police (CP) Tijani Fatai at the command headquarters in Ikeja, yesterday.
According to him, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu has directed a nationwide weeklong activity aimed at rebuilding public trust, promoting community policing, and demonstrating the operational strength of the force.
He said the command would also embark on a route march, adding that the medical outreach would hold at Computer Village.
Fatai said the police were committed to reinforcing the principle that effective policing depends on collaboration with the community.
According to the CP, this year's theme would centre on building and sustaining public trust through partnership, noting that trust between the police and the public must be mutual to achieve meaningful results in crime prevention.
“The police cannot function effectively without the cooperation of the community. We must build trust, and the public must also see us as partners,” he said.
