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Tag: Olohundare Jimoh

  • Lagos CP meets Owode Onirin traders, promises justice 

    Lagos CP meets Owode Onirin traders, promises justice 

    • …Police boss: We won’t tolerate acts of insurrection in Lagos

    The Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP) Olohundare Jimoh, has reassurred traders of Owode Onirin Spareparts Market of his commitment to justice on the demolition of their shops by a suspected landgrabber last August. 

    He gave the assurance during a meeting with the traders at the market on Friday afternoon where he received a rousing welcome. 

    Addressing concerns about the Owode Onirin market, the commissioner clarified that structures demolished in the area were not pulled down by the Lagos State Government but by a land grabber, who has since been arrested. 

    He said the suspect illegally brought in police officers from outside Lagos State in violation of the Inspector-General of Police’s directive against protecting land grabbers.

    Those officers, he said, have been transferred to the Force Criminal Investigation Department and are undergoing disciplinary procedures, alongside the land grabber, over deaths linked to the incident.

    Since August 27, described as a tragic day for the community, CP Jimoh said the police have maintained constant engagement with traders and provided round-the-clock security to ensure business activities continue safely.

    He said the command has ensured all necessary evidence to prosecute the suspect were secured, adding that reports of a ballistic test conducted was being expected. 

    Speaking on the protest that erupted on Wednesday in Ikeja which led to the use of minimal force to disperse the crowd, the CP insisted that the demonstration veered into violence and posed serious risks to public safety.

    He accused the organisers of acts of insurrection, alleging that all attempts to make them understand it was unacceptable to block Awolowo Road for several hours, even after they had been addressed by lawmakers, proved abortive. 

    Acknowledging that peaceful protest and freedom of expression are essential to democracy, he noted that the Ikeja protest crossed a red line when organisers allegedly removed schoolchildren from classrooms and attempted to coerce them into joining the march.

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    According to him, some of the children, still in school uniforms, were too young to participate in a long trek from the Ikeja Underbridge to the Lagos State House of Assembly. 

    Police, he said, insisted on their immediate withdrawal and safe return to school, describing the act as dangerous and contrary to international child-protection standards.

    The commissioner also raised concern over the display of a coffin at the protest ground, describing it as a symbol of violence rather than peaceful dissent. He said the coffin was recovered from a group led by Taiwo Hassan and Daley Frank, whom he identified as organisers of the protest.

    Despite provocation, insults and harassment directed at officers, Jimoh said the police exercised restraint and acted within the law. 

    He disclosed that three separate groups participated in the protest, two of which had no links to Owode Onirin, Oworonshoki or Makoko. 

    These groups, he alleged, mobilised people off the streets with stipends and exposed them to danger. By contrast, he said the Makoko community had a long history of peaceful engagement with government and the police, and had consistently informed security agencies ahead of protests.

    Jimoh noted that unverified claims that children were killed during the protest were false and used to incite unrest, stressing that no families or parents of alleged victims were ever presented.

    On the use of tear gas to disperse protesters, the commissioner said the decision was taken only after highways were blocked for over six hours, with reports of medical emergencies, stranded travellers and people fainting in traffic. 

    He stressed that no firearm was discharged during the operation.

    CP Jimoh confirmed that Taiwo Hassan and Dale Frank were arrested for criminal acts committed in the presence of police officers and were charged to court within the constitutionally stipulated time.

    Reaffirming the command’s commitment to human rights, he said peaceful and lawful protests would always receive police protection, warning traders against being misled by individuals with ulterior motives.

    He added that police deployment in Owode Onirin market has been doubled, while urging civil society organisations and the media to verify facts before amplifying claims capable of disrupting public order.

    Appreciating the CP for standing by them, the traders said they pulled back from the protest after they realised its organisers had ulterior motives. 

    According to them, they have been going to the State House of Assembly to register their grievances over the demolition of their shops and killing of their colleagues since August and have always received police protection. 

    “This time around, we received an invitation that all those whose markets were demolished in Lagos should come for a protest to the State House of Assembly. That’s why our people joined the protest. But on getting there, we saw it was something else. We had to draw back because we do not have any issue against the police. All we want is justice,” said one of the traders who claimed his shop was among those demolished. 

    Chairman of the Traders’ Association thanked the CP for always being there for them, nothing that he had visited the place thrice since the August incident. 

    He also confirmed that the traders were not fighting the police nor the state government, adding that they only want justice for their dead colleagues and those who lost sources of livelihoods. 

  • Police reaffirm people-centered policing, strengthen community partnership

    Police reaffirm people-centered policing, strengthen community partnership

    The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has restated the command’s commitment to community-driven and people-centered policing, emphasizing that citizens are the most vital partners in crime prevention and public safety.

    Jimoh made the remark during an interactive stakeholders’ meeting held at the POWA Multipurpose Hall, Ikeja, as part of activities marking the 2025 Customer Service Week.

    The event brought together members of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders from across the state to discuss ways of deepening collaboration between the police and the public.

    Describing the Customer Service Week as a global initiative aimed at strengthening the bond between service providers and the people they serve, the Commissioner said the Police under Inspector-General, (IGP) Olukayode Egbetokun, have adopted it to promote accountability, empathy, and public trust in policing.

    “Policing is about service to humanity. Without the people, there can be no police. Community policing means placing citizens at the center of our priorities. We must listen to the people, understand their challenges, and work together to find lasting solutions,” said CP Jimoh.

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    He noted that the command had earlier conducted a free medical outreach for Lagos residents as part of the celebration, noting that social support and welfare were also part of policing.

    The police boss explained that many disputes handled by the service are not purely criminal but require mediation and early intervention to prevent violence. “When we step in to resolve domestic misunderstandings or non-criminal complaints, it is to preserve peace before things escalate,” he said.

    As the festive season approaches, the Commissioner assured Lagosians of enhanced security, saying the command had reviewed its strategies to match the tempo of increased commercial and travel activities.

    “We have intensified patrols and adopted proactive crime-prevention measures across the state. Lagosians should sleep with their eyes closed,” he assured.

    CP imoh commended officers of the command for professionalism and discipline, noting that cases of misconduct were being decisively addressed to sustain public trust.

    Participants at the meeting applauded the police for progress in reducing crimes such as robbery, cultism, and thuggery. They, however, urged intensified efforts against “one chance” robberies and drug abuse among youths.

    They pledged continued partnership with the police through intelligence sharing and community sensitization to maintain peace and order across Lagos State.

  • Lagos CP charges SCID detectives to uphold discipline, human rights

    Lagos CP charges SCID detectives to uphold discipline, human rights

    The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has charged detectives at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, to maintain high standards of discipline, professionalism, and respect for human rights in the course of their duties.

    Jimoh gave the directive on Wednesday night during his first official visit to the premier CID unit, where he commended the detectives for their notable achievements in investigating capital offences.

    He acknowledged the SCID’s crucial role in solving complex cases across the state and urged the team to sustain their momentum while ensuring that the rights of suspects are not violated.

    Reiterating the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, CP Jimoh stressed that discipline must be the foundation of daily operations in line with professional policing standards.

    He expressed satisfaction over the reduced number of public complaints and petitions against the SCID, encouraging the officers to continue delivering results in accordance with the law.

    The police chief also underscored the principle of the presumption of innocence, reminding detectives that every suspect must be treated fairly until proven guilty by a court of law. 

    He urged them to uphold due diligence and integrity throughout their investigations.

    He also mentioned the need for them to thoroughly scrutinise high-sounding petitions to ensure that innocent people are not detained on trumped up allegations.

    “If a petitioner alleges terrorism and firearms possession by an accused person, the first thing that comes to mind is why didn’t he report to the nearest police station if he saw firearms? Because by the time his petition gets to the SCID and is being treated, isn’t it logical that the person who kept the firearm would have removed it from there?

    “You must ensure that you are not being used as a weapon to lock up innocent people. So, you have to thoroughly investigate petitions and also respect the human rights of all involved including the suspects,” he said.

    CP Jimoh also commended the SCID for the recovery of several vehicles, other items in the course of investigation, urging them to keep up with the good work.

    Earlier in his remarks, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), SCID, Dayo Akinbisehin, highlighted some of the achievements recorded by the department, just as he solicited for more logistics from the police command to enable them deliver on their mandates.

    He also requested for a state-of-the-art statement room which would include audio-visual gadgets, more lawyers, investigators, patrol vehicles and other requirements to boost their capabilities.

    “The vision of this department is to improve the cybercrime security capabilities of officers and men of this department for effective modern-day investigation.

    “This department pays so much attention to in-house training, as all sectional heads are continuously trained on different aspects of policing and non-disciplinary investigation, and are expected to impart the knowledge to their team members. 

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    We shall continue to conduct regular training on investigation and other policing duties in line with the force policy on training and retraining…” He said.

    The DCP said new sections have been created in the SCID in line with current trends and crime dynamics in the society.

    In the last four months alone, we have received quite a number of petitions, referrals, and transfer cases, many of which have been charged to court while others are at different stages of investigation…” he added.

  • Lagos election has been peaceful, says CP

    Lagos election has been peaceful, says CP

    Lagos Commissioner of Police (CP) Olohundare Jimoh has said the ongoing Local Government Elections have been peaceful and no negative security complaints received.

    He said this during an interview at a polling booth in Ikorodu. 

    The police boss has been on confidence building patrol across the state since 10am, making unscheduled stops at polling units to hear from the voters if they had concerns be addressed.

    The Nation reports that the confidence building patrol kicked off at the command headquarters in Ikeja, proceeding through Maryland to Mushin, Surulere, Amuwo Odofin, Ikorodu and Ifako Ijaiye.

    According to CP Jimoh, security deployments would be maintained throughout the exercise, adding that filers from the riverine areas showed things were moving smoothly as well.

    “So far, so good. The process is very good. There has not been any disturbance of the peace anywhere. We want to encourage voters that there is still time for them to come out and cast their votes,” CP Jimoh said. 

    He assured that the police have a comprehensive deployment plan, with enough personnel stationed across polling units and collation centers to ensure sustained security throughout the process.

    “For collation, we have already deployed massively. Police personnel are present at all collation centers across the 57 local government areas. We are fully on ground to maintain peace during both the collation and the announcement of results,” he added.

    The police boss said the command was equally prepared for post election security, adding that adequate arrangements have been put in place to prevent disruptions.

    He said the police would not tolerate any activity that could lead to breakdown of law and order, urging those who would celebrate their victories or losses to do so without provocation.

    “We know that after results are announced, there will be jubilation and, possibly, agitation. But we will not allow anyone to blackmail the process or disturb public peace in any part of the state. We are good to go,” he said.

    For riverine areas, CP Jimoh said 16 gunboats were deployed by the police to man both urban and rural riverine.

    He said he has been in touch with the Marine Commander and there has been no issues.

    “But we will continue to maintain this level of deployment to  ensure that the entire process is peaceful throughout the state,” he added.

    However, in all the places visited, it was observed that Lagosians did not come. Out en masse to vote. While there were only a handful of persons at polling units, young men turned the streets to football fields while those selling food and beverages made brisk businesses.