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DIG Alabi’s Visit: CP Fayoade Makes Case for Additional Personnel, Divisional Police Hqtrs
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Adegoke Fayoade, has made a case for more Police officers to be drafted to the Command in addition to creating more divisional police headquarters in the state. This, according to him, is to meet the United Nation’s standard of one policeman to 400 hundred citizens, and also contend with the geometric increase of Lagos population, noting that crime and criminality has reduced to the barest minimum since he became CP.
The Lagos CP made this assertion while receiving a former Commissioner of Police of the state, who is now the Deputy Inspector-General of Police of charge of the FCID, and the Southwest in general, DIG Alabi during an elaborate occasion which the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) attended.
Read his speech in part:
It gives me great delight today to have the opportunity to welcome my Oga, the quintessential, cerebral and pragmatic DIG FCID, who doubles as the DIG in charge of south west. When I look back at About 30 years ago when we both started policing in Abia state, We have every reason to give glory to the Almighty God who in his infinite mercy saw us this far. Our distinguished Guest was the 37th Commissioner of Police, in this great state which remains the melting point of many Nigerians, the center of excellence, state of aquatic splendor and the economic hub of Nigeria, the west African sub region and indeed Africa.
The Lagos State Police Command was created in May, 1967 with four (4) area commands and twenty-two (22) Divisions. It was meant to cater for a population of barely over two million people. However, as the state continue to grow is size, population and status, the Command on the other hand, equally witnessed a corresponding growth in structure and manpower. The command can presently boast of fourteen (14) Area Commands, One Hundred and Ten (110) divisional headquarters, Eighty-Six (86) Police posts with a total staff strength of Eighteen Thousand and Ninety Six (18,096) personnel to cater for the security needs of Lagos State. It is important and necessary to point out that the state is in dire need of more policemen and more divisional Police Headquarters, to meet the United Nation’s standard of 1 policeman to 400 hundred citizens and contend with the geometric increase of Lagos population.
To achieve the desired socio-economic development and usher in a new dawn of opportunities for our people, the issue of insecurity. Which constitutes serious threat to lives and property, hinders business activities and discourage local and foreign investors, stifles and retards socio-economic development need to be tackled with passion and unwavering commitment.
It is however gratifying to note that since the introduction of people centered, collaborative and co-operative, crime prevention strategies by the dynamic and tireless commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Crime and criminal activities in this area and indeed Lagos State has reduced drastically to a tolerable level. The strategies adopted include;
a. Prevention strategies e.g. (Intelligence raids of criminal hideouts, cordon and search) etc.
b. Intelligence led policing.
c. Use of modern technology device(s) (scientific aid) to track down dangerous criminals e.g. Kidnappers, Armed robbers, car hijackers etc.
d. Extensive and Intensive Patrol
e. Community Policing Strategy.
f. Stop and Search
g. Accessibility/Visibility Policing.
h. Robust/synergy and Collaboration with other Security Agencies.
i. Synergy with other relevant institution/department (security stack holders).
j. Community partnership and engage with all segment of the society – PCRC,CDA, Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, Hunters, VSO/VGN, formal and informal security outfit, etc.
k. Intelligence led policing. Emphasis is on using intelligence gathered from various sources as guide to our operation. Monthly meeting with all stakeholders, such as CDAs, Traditional Rulers, Baales, Fishermen, unions leader, Hunters, VSO/VGN, NGO/Press groups, Students, Leaders, Community Heads, Corporate Organization etc. both at Command and divisional level have assisted on intelligence gathering and effective collaboration in the safety and security of the Lagos and its environs.
In addition to various strategies put in place, the command equally engaged in capacity building by training and re-training of our personnel to meet with and counter the growing sophistication of criminality in the command. The society is dynamic, thus, the modus of our crime prevention must and should be dynamic and responsive and equipped enough to meet with the changing security challenges facing us.
The emerging or common crime here, such as cultism, traffic robbery, one chance robbery, kidnapping etc have all been fought to stand still due to our tenacity of purpose and mutually beneficial collaboration and co-operation with the members of the public and other arms of the criminal justice system. Our alternative dispute resolution approach to issues is also yielding result. We have used this approach to solve many issues that could have snowballed into big crises. We have improved the standard of policing here by making policing more accessible, visible, available, compassionate, problem solving and by ensuring strict observance of police policies and procedure and adherence to International Human Right standard of law enforcement. Indeed, the constitutional rights of all citizens as contained in chapter IV S33 – 42 of 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, such as rights to life, dignity of human personal liberty, fair hearing are held in high esteem etc. We are guided by the needs and concerns of everybody in our communities, recognize and encourage our officers and men to boost their morale, respect and protect human rights and co-operate with other security agencies, all stake holder’s and political authority in order to achieve a safe and secure Lagos and its environs.
It is gratifying to inform the DIG that since my assumption of duty and with the support of IGP Kayode Egbetokun, phd, npm, The executive Governor of Lagos State Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu, stakeholders and all the good people of Lagos State, that the Command was able to fully implement various crime prevention strategies and use of modern techniques, indice of crimes, such as, armed robbery, kidnapping, murder, cultism et al, which hitherto are expected to be on the rise, are now on the decrease. On behalf of the officers and men of the Command, I wish to re-assure my Deputy Inspector-General of Police that, the current tempo in crime fighting shall be sustained until the state is ride of all criminal elements.
A lawyer, Mr. Kenneth Amadi, has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to commence recall proceedings against the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule.
The development is the latest twist in the protracted political crisis in Rivers State, which ensued after Governor Sim Fubara fell out with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, currently Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Amaewhule’s seat and that of 26 others pro-Wike members of the Assembly were declared vacant by lawmakers loyal to Fubara following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
As a result of the development, Fubara worked with the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led 3-man faction of the Assembly.
Fubara presented the budget to the Oko-Jumbo group, and they also confirmed commissioner nominees and other appointments coming from the governor.
However, Amaewhule and the 26 others later renounced their defection.
The Supreme Court, in a judgment on February 28, 2025, ordered that they should resume sitting immediately.
The apex court also ordered the governor to represent the 2025 budget to the State Assembly, under Amaewhule’s leadership.
Meanwhile, according to the letter, proceedings have been initiated to recall Amaewhule from the Assembly.
The letter dated March 7, 2025, and addressed to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (INEC), Rivers State, was titled; ‘Pre-Action Notice: Request made pursuant to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, and Freedom of Information Act, 2011, for a certified true copy of the verified voter register for Obio/Akpor Federal/State Constituency, Rivers State as preliminary steps towards the recall of Martins Amaewhule, the legislator representing Obio/Akpor State Constituency at the Rivers State House of Assembly’.
The letter was received by the INEC office on March 11, 2025.
Amadi explained in the letter that he is the lawyer to several indigenes of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Amaewhule’s constituency.
He further explained that the request is in accordance with the FOI Act, 2011, and sections 69 and 110 of the 1999 Constitution, as well as Section 116 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) which empowers INEC to conduct recall proceedings against a member of the National Assembly or State Assembly, or Area Council of the FCT, “upon the receipt of a valid petition alleging a loss of confidence in the member by more than 50% of voters registered to vote in that member’s constituency”.
The letter read in part: “I write in my capacity as a lawyer to several indigenes of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State who are desirous of initiating a recall of Martins Amaewhule for the following reasons:
“Defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress in December 2023.
“Failure to provide effective representation for the majority of the public interests of constituents, instead focusing on his own personal interests and the interests of his political godfather.
“Consistent involvement in undemocratic, illegal and violent impeachment activities since the year 2013 when he moved the motion for impeachment of a duly and legally appointed Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“Disobedience to the judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered on 28th February 2025 which directed all parties to await the final determination of the legal status of Amaewhule and 26 other law-makers of the Rivers State House of Assembly who defected in December 2023.
“Illegal usurpation of the duties of His Excellency, Governor of Rivers State by amendment of certain laws of Rivers State to confer upon himself the powers to extend the tenure of Chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Rivers State and appointment of Commissioners of the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission (just to mention a few).
“Failure to fulfill his campaign promises to build agriculture and aquaculture farms for youths of Obio/Akpor State constituency, just to mention a few.
“Failure to publish and comply with a legislative agenda of the Rivers State House of Assembly as is the legislative practice of the National Assembly.”
The letter warned that if the requested CTC of the voter register is not made available within seven days, the constituents will take legal action to enforce their legal rights.
Speaking further, Amadi said Amaewhule has serially violated court orders since he was restored as the Speaker of the Assembly.
The lawyer added that the business of lawmaking had come to a standstill, as the Amaewhule-led Assembly is only interested in fighting the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
“In the days immediately after the Supreme Court of Nigeria judgment of 28th February 2025, Amaewhule has issued several ultimatums against the Chairman of RSIEC and more recently a bench warrant for the arrest of the chairman and commissioners of the RSIEC.
“This is in spite of a valid injunction of a High Court of Rivers State that prevents Amaewhule and the Rivers State House of Assembly from doing anything against the said Chairman of the RSIEC pending the hearing of the ongoing lawsuit that the said chairman of the RSIEC filed against Amaewhule and his 26 lawmakers,” he said.
Amadi added that the “uncommon and exuberant zeal that Amaewhule and his 26 lawmakers are expending upon the RISEC alone since their resumption since after 28th February 2025 raises a lot of suspicion and worry”.
“This is because it appears that the entire business of lawmaking of the Rivers State House of Assembly has come to a standstill, there is no mention of any other activities such as Bills that undergo first or second reading, there is no mention of constituency projects or visits to constituencies, and certainly no mention of oversight functions.
“The only activity that we hear and read about as the function of the Rivers State House of Assembly is ultimatums and bench warrant for the arrest of the Chairman and Commissioners of the RISEC,” he further observed.
The political crisis in Rivers State further escalated on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, with Governor Sim Fubara prevented from gaining access to the Assembly quarters to present the 2025 budget to the lawmakers, as ordered by the Supreme Court.
Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed dissatisfaction over the action of the Rivers State House of Assembly, which denied him entry to the quarters on Wednesday.
Fubara addressed residents of the Khana Local Government Area during the commissioning of some health facilities shortly after the drama at the Assembly quarters.
The governor insisted that he communicated his intention to visit the lawmakers to Speaker Martins Amaewhule before he showed up at the quarters to re-represent the 2025 Budget as directed by the Assembly following the verdict of the Supreme Court on February 28, 2025.
“I still believe, maybe, they might be instructed later. If they are instructed, I’m still ready to come any day to get this particular issue sorted out,” the governor said.
Also, the Rivers State Government shared a letter notifying the House of the governor’s visit.
On Friday, February 28, 2025, the Supreme Court handed a raft of decisions on the protracted political situation in the oil-rich South-South state.
In the judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, the five-man panel of the court unanimously dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Fubara challenging the validity of the House of Assembly presided over by Amaewhule as the Speaker.
In dismissing Fubara’s appeal, the court ordered Amaewhule to resume sitting immediately with other elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The apex court barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other agencies from releasing funds to the Government of Rivers State until it purges itself of what the court described as flagrant disobedience to court orders.
Also, the apex court declared the local government election conducted in the state on October 5, 2024, as invalid.
Fubara subsequently said he would fully implement the judgments of the apex court and directed the Rivers State Independent Electoral Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to come up with modalities for the fresh election.
The electoral commission fixed August 9, 2025, to conduct a fresh local government poll in the state. The Assembly later issued an arrest warrant against RSIEC Chief, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), over failure to appear before the House.
Furthermore, the Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, in a letter dated March 7, 2025, sought a meeting with the lawmakers for March 10, 2025 to discuss the re-presentation of the 2025 budget and a peace talk but the Assembly asked the governor to channel his invitation properly.
The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, has asked for the partnership and support of the European Union to actualize Police reforms, and reiterate the efforts of the Federal Government to create a more responsive and professional police service in Nigeria, according to a statement by the Deputy Director, Information & Public Relations Unit, Mr. Bolaji Kazeem, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
Gaidam made the observation during a courtesy visit of the European Union Embassy delegation led by Ambassador Gautier Mignot to the Headquarters of the Ministry in Abuja.
The Minister said the expertise, resources, and experience in police reform and governance could significantly contribute greatly to the efforts of the government in Nigeria.
“Your Excellency, I would like to brief you on the ongoing Nigerian Police reform exercise, which is being overseen by the Ministry of Police Affairs. This initiative aims to enhance the effectiveness, accountability, and community engagement of the Nigerian Police Force,” he said.
Gaidam posited that key areas of focus include improved training, better resource allocation, and the establishment of more robust oversight mechanisms to ensure transparency and public trust.
He recalled that European Union has been at the forefront of supporting regional security initiatives, including the West Africa Police Information System (WAPIS). This initiative, supported by INTERPOL, has significantly enhanced the ability of law enforcement agencies across West Africa to share critical police information electronically. The Minister stressed.
According to him, “By improving coordination, WAPIS has played a vital role in combating transnational crimes such as drug trafficking, human smuggling, and terrorism threats that continue to challenge our national security.
The Minister posited that, the European Union and ECOWAS have remained committed to ensuring the full rollout of WAPIS across all ECOWAS countries and Mauritania. Noting that funding was made available for the initiative from November 2017 and extended to May 2025.
He expressed the prevailing security challenges in Nigeria and the broader West African region adding that, it is imperative that they work towards securing continuous EU funding for the full implementation and sustainability of the WAPIS system.
“Additional technical assistance and capacity-building support will further enhance Nigeria’s law enforcement capabilities and ensure that we maximize the impact of this crucial initiative|”. Gaidam noted.
Earlier, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Gautier Mignot reiterated that the Ministry of Police Affairs is one of the Ministries they reach out to and one of the main partners adding that, the cooperation is base on share values and interests, respect for rule of law, human rights, democracy noting that the police is the core of the expression of these values.
He said that stability and security in Nigeria and ECOWAS is of interest to European Union and at a time that the world is evolving very quickly on issues relating to the regional environment and the need to reform and strengthen the criminal justice system, tackle gender-based violence, fight against human trafficking in person.
“Migration issues, we are addressing issues we are facing worldwide with the very powerful criminal networks, this is very so important to work hand in hand to fight the networks, dismantle them and protect the victims,” he said.
