No resistance to State Police, says Lagos Commissioner

……says tactical teams dissolved to curb abuse

By Efe Onodjae

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Oluhundare Jimoh, has dismissed reports circulating on social media that he opposed the creation of state Police, describing such claims as false and a “figment of the imagination” of those spreading the information.

Speaking during an interaction with journalists in Lagos, CP Jimoh said the command has been complying with directives from the Nigeria Police Force leadership and the Federal Government on matters relating to policing reforms and operational procedures.

“I want members of the public to establish in their minds that the Lagos State Police Command or the Commissioner of Police did not oppose state Police.

According to him, the Police authorities have already directed commands nationwide to sensitise officers on the proposed state policing framework to ensure there is no misunderstanding about its role. He explained that officers have been told that state Police, if implemented, would complement the activities of the Nigeria Police Force rather than replace it.

“The directive is that we should lecture all our personnel to allay their fears that state police is coming to take up our duties. State Police is going to complement our efforts,” he said.

The Lagos Police boss stressed that his public comments are limited to directives from the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and operational achievements of the Lagos command.

“Outside that, I do not have the power or the wherewithal to challenge the issue of state police,” he added.

CP Jimoh also disclosed that the Police hierarchy had introduced strict control measures regarding the use of tactical equipment across commands nationwide following the dissolution of some tactical teams in the force as part of ongoing policing reforms.

He explained that the move was aimed at strengthening supervision, preventing operational excesses and ensuring better accountability in police operations. Under the directive, command headquarters would have only five tactical scopes, while area commands and divisions would have three each in order to reduce proliferation and prevent possible abuse.

“The tactical scopes are under the direct supervision of commanding officers to ensure that human rights are not violated,” he said.

The commissioner also reiterated that bail remains free across the country, urging members of the public to report any officer who demands payment.

“Bail is free in its entirety throughout Nigeria, and Lagos is not an exception,” he stated, adding that the command plans to launch a public sensitisation campaign on the issue in collaboration with the state Ministry of Youth Development.

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