*As CP Jimoh Reels Out Achievements
In a city that never sleeps – where ambition hums through the markets of Balogun and engines roar across the Third Main
land Bridge – the hum of security has often been the unseen rhythm of survival. Yet, in the last one year, that rhythm has found a new conductor: *Commissioner of Police Olohundare Moshood Jimoh*.
Under his calm yet firm leadership, Lagos has experienced a quiet revolution in policing – one marked by *discipline, intelligence, and compassion*. Once, the mention of police checkpoints drew fear; today, they often draw nods of reassurance.
From the peaceful conduct of elections to the dismantling of violent gangs, Lagos under CP Moshood has become a *case study in reform-driven security management* – where precision meets empathy and professionalism becomes the new creed.
*Peaceful Polls, Restored Faith*
During the last major elections, Lagos – Nigeria’s economic nerve centre – braced for tension. Crowds surged. Convoys stretched for miles. Yet, when dawn met dusk on polling day, the unexpected had happened: *no deaths, no major clashes, no ballot thefts*.
Over 10,000 reinforcements arrived from other states with the approval of the Inspector-General of Police, a move that fortified operations. The result was a *flawless electoral season* that redefined public expectations.
For the first time in recent memory, Lagosians saw policing as partnership rather than intimidation. Street traders offered water to patrol teams. Young voters shared food with officers guarding polling booths. “We felt protected, not policed,” said one observer in Mushin – a statement that captured the quiet evolution taking root.
CP Moshood’s strategy? A simple but powerful doctrine – *prevent before react, engage before enforce*.
*Crime Control with a Human Face*
Beyond elections, the Command has achieved *landmark breakthroughs in crime control*. A fugitive on the run for two decades was finally captured. A gang of container hijackers, long the nightmare of Apapa Wharf, was dismantled. Syndicates involved in land grabbing and fuel diversion fell in coordinated sweeps that displayed both tactical finesse and moral resolve.
“Every arrest is not just a number,” Moshood told journalists recently. “It is a family spared, a community restored.”
This blend of empathy and efficiency has become the Lagos Command’s signature. Officers are now trained not only to pursue suspects but to understand the social roots of crime – poverty, unemployment, and substance abuse – and link affected individuals to rehabilitation where possible.
A mid-ranking officer who requested anonymity described it as *“policing that sees the human being before the handcuffs.”*
*Peaceful Protests, Stronger Bonds*
In a period where nationwide protests have become common expressions of frustration, Lagos stood apart. During the October 1 demonstrations, protest leaders liaised with police ahead of time, and officers in turn coordinated safety routes and medical support.
No teargas. No gunshots. No headlines of chaos. Instead, what unfolded was a *symbol of mutual respect* – an image that went viral across social media: a police officer sharing sachet water with a young protester at Ojota.
That moment captured the soul of the new Lagos policing – a shift from confrontation to cooperation. “We have learned that peace is not enforced; it is nurtured,” CP Moshood said.
*The Media as Partner, Not Adversary*
One of the boldest shifts under CP Moshood has been his *open-door engagement with the media*. No longer are journalists viewed as intruders; they are now seen as allies in public enlightenment.
This new culture was on full display when *Odita Sunday*, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of *RazorNews Group*, led senior editors on a courtesy visit to the Command Headquarters on October 19, 2025.
The interaction was more than ceremonial. It was a meeting of missions – where the press and police found common ground in accountability and trust.
“You have redefined policing through discipline and compassion,” Sunday told the Commissioner. “Your people-centred approach has made security management in Lagos more inclusive, transparent, and effective.”
The visit, described by observers as *a bridge between information and impact*, reinforced how constructive journalism can complement reform-minded policing.
*Behind the Badge: The Human Cost of Service*
But even amid accolades, the Lagos Command has its burdens. Several officers quietly admit that *morale remains fragile*, constrained by economic hardship and welfare gaps. Long hours, emotional toll, and delayed allowances often leave them drained.
CP Moshood acknowledges this truth. “We are human before we are officers,” he said. “Our courage must be sustained by care.”
In recent months, he has pushed for better welfare packages, periodic counselling sessions, and recognition for outstanding service. The goal, he insists, is not just to secure Lagos – but to *heal those who secure it*.
*Beyond Lagos: A Model for Nigeria*
Security analysts say Lagos’s current stability is not accidental; it is engineered. From predictive policing technology to intensified community dialogue, the Command’s operational map has inspired other states.
During the President’s recent visit and several international events, not a single major security incident was recorded – a rarity in a city of over 20 million people.
The model, experts argue, could guide national reform if institutionalised: *preventive intelligence, humane enforcement, and civic inclusion.*
*A Vision Anchored on Trust*
As dusk settles over Ikeja, the police headquarters hums with quiet activity – a symbol of continuity, not complacency. CP Moshood remains at his desk, reviewing reports, signing briefings, and occasionally stepping out to greet junior officers.
His words, calm yet determined, echo through the halls:
> “We are not resting. Our mission is to make Lagos the safest commercial hub in Africa – and we are on that path.”
For a city once haunted by the sound of sirens and fear of the unknown, this renewed trust feels almost revolutionary.
And for the Lagos Police Command, the message is clear – *security is not merely the absence of crime; it is the presence of peace, empathy, and purpose.*
