The Lagos State Police Command has signalled a decisive shift in policing strategy, as Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, unveiled a sweeping crackdown on crime and internal misconduct across the state.
Addressing officers at the Police Officers’ Mess in Ikeja, Lagos, on Friday, Tijani declared that restoring public trust would be central to his leadership, anchored on discipline, accountability and service.
He warned that the era of intimidation and abuse of authority was over, insisting that policing must now reflect humility, professionalism and respect for citizens.
According to him, modern law enforcement must prioritise service above power, aligning with global standards that emphasise community partnership and human rights.
Tijani directed officers to embrace visibility policing, mandating sustained presence in communities through intensified patrols and strategic deployment.
He disclosed that daily raids would be launched on identified criminal enclaves, popularly known as black spots, to dismantle networks and deter criminal activity.
The police chief also announced the reactivation of convoy patrols across area commands, deploying operational vehicles to enhance rapid response and surveillance.
He noted that the coordinated patrol system would target emerging threats, particularly land grabbing, which he described as a growing menace in the state.
In a stern warning, Tijani declared zero tolerance for land grabbing and cult-related violence, linking both to organised criminal groups undermining public safety.
He vowed to dismantle such networks, assuring residents that intensified operations would restore order in affected communities.
On internal discipline, Tijani took a hard stance against extortion, directing the public to report erring officers and assuring that offenders would face transparent and strict sanctions.
He further clarified that the police would no longer intervene in purely civil disputes, urging citizens to seek appropriate legal channels while reaffirming his commitment to a force driven by integrity, rule of law and respect for human rights.