Lagos Police Commissioner Vows Stronger Public Trust, Cooperation
Last update: March 27, 2026
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Tijani said the command was intensifying community policing to build trust and cooperation..
Lagos State Commissioner of Police Fatai Tijani said on Friday that efforts were underway to end public fear of the police.
Tijani, who assumed office on Thursday as the 42nd commissioner, spoke ahead of the 2026 Police Week scheduled to begin on Monday.
“The era of fear is gone. The police are the people and the people are the police. We are here to serve, not intimidate,” he told reporters at the command headquarters.
He said the week-long event was designed to strengthen police-public relations, noting that modern policing depends on trust, respect and collaboration.
According to him, this year’s Police Week focuses on building and sustaining public trust through partnerships, adding that effective policing would be difficult without public confidence.
The commissioner said the initiative, introduced a few years ago but briefly interrupted, was being revived to align with global community policing standards.
Planned activities include sanitation exercises, free medical outreach for residents and a road walk by officers to demonstrate fitness and readiness.
He added that public sensitisation campaigns would address issues such as electoral violence, cultism and safe driving, especially as elections approach.
“We must all work together to ensure a peaceful environment. The police cannot do it alone,” Tijani said.
He emphasised the importance of intelligence gathering, describing the public as a critical source of information in tackling crime.
“Information is key. The community knows what happens within their environment,” he said.
Tijani said the command would also honour fallen officers by presenting cheques to their families, reaffirming its commitment to personnel welfare.
He warned officers against human rights abuses, stressing that professionalism and respect for citizens’ rights would be enforced.
“There is no room for brutality. Even suspects have rights, and they must be treated with dignity,” he said.
The Police Week will conclude with a grand finale in Abuja on April 7, alongside similar events nationwide.
Tijani urged residents and the media to support the initiative, saying cooperation was essential to building a safer society.
