The Lagos State Police Command has assured residents that the state remains calm and secure despite reports of protests in parts of the country over the continued detention of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Mr. Olohundare Jimoh, gave the assurance on Monday during a “Show of Force” exercise held by the command in Ikeja.
The exercise, which featured a large deployment of police patrol vans, armored personnel carriers, and tactical units, was aimed at boosting public confidence and demonstrating the readiness of security agencies to maintain order throughout the state.
Jimoh explained that the operation was part of a wider strategy designed to reassure Lagosians of their safety and to show the command’s preparedness to swiftly respond to any potential disturbance.
“We want residents to know that they are safe and can go about their lawful businesses without fear,” the police chief said.
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He added that the police had already deployed personnel to all sensitive areas and known protest points in the city to ensure that no group disrupts the peace currently being enjoyed in Lagos.
“We have made proper deployments to all identifiable points where protesters used to gather in the past,” he noted.
According to the commissioner, the command had strategically stationed officers across several key locations, including the Lekki Toll Gate, Ojota, Maryland, Gani Fawehinmi Park, and other major public areas across the metropolis. These locations have historically been the most popular gathering points for demonstrators during major nationwide protests.
Jimoh explained that the “Show of Force” was not intended to intimidate residents but to serve as a deterrent to those who might attempt to instigate unrest under the guise of peaceful protests.
“Protests are allowed anywhere in the world, but when you take laws into your hands and disrupt public peace, that is no longer a protest. We will not allow anyone to infringe on the rights of others who are going about their daily activities,” he warned.
He further disclosed that the Lagos State Police Command had directed all divisional headquarters and tactical units to maintain high alert and provide real-time situation reports at regular intervals.
“All divisional commands across Lagos have been instructed to submit situation reports every 15 minutes to ensure real-time monitoring of developments across the city,” Jimoh stated.
He confirmed that, as of Monday afternoon, there had been no recorded cases of violence, unrest, or traffic obstruction anywhere in Lagos State.
“Lagos is safe, peaceful, and free of any form of protest. We will continue to patrol and monitor all areas to sustain the peace residents are enjoying,” the commissioner assured.
The police also urged members of the public to remain law-abiding and to report any suspicious activities in their areas. Jimoh emphasized that maintaining peace and security in Lagos was a collective effort that required cooperation between residents and law enforcement agencies.
Earlier on Monday, reports emerged of security operatives clashing with #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protesters in Abuja, the nation’s capital. Eyewitnesses said police officers fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators who had gathered to demand the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu.
The protest, organized by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and backed by various civil society and opposition groups, was intended to pressure the Federal Government into granting unconditional freedom to the IPOB leader.
Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in custody since his re-arrest in 2021, faces multiple charges including terrorism, treason, and incitement. The Federal Government has accused him of leading a separatist campaign aimed at establishing the independent state of Biafra through inflammatory rhetoric and broadcasts on Radio Biafra.
Despite his prolonged detention, Kanu continues to command strong support among many in the South-East region and within Nigeria’s diaspora community. His followers insist that his continued imprisonment is politically motivated, while the government maintains that his actions pose a threat to national unity and peace.
For now, the Lagos Police Command says its primary focus is to ensure that peace and normalcy prevail in the state, even as the nationwide #FreeNnamdiKanuNow demonstrations continue to attract attention across the country.