LAGOS/Nigeria: The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Tijani, has called for stronger community participation in crime prevention, urging residents to provide timely intelligence to security agencies and deny criminal elements the opportunity to establish a foothold in their neighbourhoods.
Tijani made the call on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at a stakeholders’ security meeting organised by the Area D Police Command in Mushin, Lagos, where he identified cooperation between security agencies and communities as essential to addressing cultism, drug abuse, illegal arms possession and other criminal activities.
The commissioner said residents, traditional rulers, community leaders, youths and other stakeholders had complementary responsibilities in maintaining peace, stressing that effective community policing depended on regular interaction between security personnel and the people they serve.
He urged residents to report suspicious persons, movements and activities to the appropriate security agencies, assuring them that useful information would be handled appropriately.
Tijani said the relative peace recorded in the Area D jurisdiction was the result of contributions from residents, police officers, other security agencies and community stakeholders, but noted that pockets of criminal activity remained a concern.
He specifically raised concern over cultism, drug abuse and the circulation of small arms and ammunition, urging communities to promptly alert security agencies whenever they became aware of illegal weapons or activities capable of threatening public safety.
The commissioner also cautioned residents against harbouring or protecting suspected criminals, saying communities must take responsibility for preventing criminal elements from gaining acceptance or influence within their neighbourhoods.
He said the objective of the partnership was to create an environment where residents could conduct their legitimate activities without fear, adding that security could not be sustained through police action alone.
Tijani also appealed for restraint and peaceful engagement as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gradually intensify.
He urged residents not to allow political differences to damage relationships within their communities, stressing that the political process was temporary while the communities where people live would remain.
“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 the commissioner for his support for community-oriented security initiatives and efforts to address cultism, armed violence and other security concerns.
Awoniyi recalled that Tijani, while serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, supported the establishment of a community stakeholders’ meeting initiated by the Native Foundation Empowerment Foundation in July 2025.
According to him, the meeting brought community leaders and other stakeholders together to examine youth violence, conflict resolution and community-based approaches to peacebuilding.
The Area Commander also highlighted the establishment of anti-cultism units across police area commands in Lagos, describing the initiative as part of efforts to tackle cult-related activities.
He assured the commissioner that officers under the command would continue to perform their duties in accordance with the rule of law and respect for human rights.
The meeting brought together representatives of the police, Police Community Relations Committee, Community Development Associations, Community Development Committees and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority.
Traditional institutions, religious organisations, market leaders, youth groups, transport unions and other security stakeholders also participated in the engagement.
The meeting formed part of ongoing community-security engagements by the Lagos Police Command. Tijani had also urged residents at a separate Area E Command stakeholders’ meeting earlier in September to provide useful information to the police as the state prepares for the 2027 electoral period.
