By Sodiq Adelakun
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has renewed his call for the creation of state police, describing it as the ultimate solution to building a fully integrated and responsive security architecture in Lagos State.
The governor made this known on Monday during a live conversation on Journalists’ Hangout, where he addressed security, tourism, transportation and preparations for the busy end-of-year period popularly known as “Detty December.”
Sanwo-Olu said Lagos has intensified security operations across the state to guarantee the safety of residents and visitors, stressing that the government is deliberately investing in infrastructure, manpower and intelligence gathering to ensure a safe festive season.
According to him, over 50,000 streetlight poles are currently being installed across Lagos, covering more than 1,000 kilometres of roads, to improve night-time visibility and deter criminal activity.
He also disclosed that 100 additional operational vehicles were recently deployed to security agencies to strengthen rapid response capabilities.
“We are lighting up everywhere in the city and deliberately equipping our security operatives to respond quickly.
Lagos is not sleeping,” the governor said.
Sanwo-Olu revealed that Lagos currently has more than 7,500 neighbourhood watch operatives, all of whom have been activated as part of the state’s security framework.
He said intelligence sharing has been heightened, urging residents to report suspicious activities promptly.
The governor also disclosed that Lagos recently carried out a joint security operation with Ogun and Oyo states along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, involving over 300 security vehicles in a show of force aimed at flushing out criminal elements and improving interstate security collaboration.
While highlighting these measures,
Sanwo-Olu argued that a state police system would significantly enhance coordination, intelligence sharing and accountability.
“The ultimate aim is for us to have state police. Once we have state police, the entire security architecture can be fully integrated into our command and control centre,” he said, noting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown commitment to pushing the country toward decentralised policing.
He explained that state police would allow Lagos to synchronise resources such as traffic cameras, emergency response systems, neighbourhood watch intelligence and law enforcement operations for faster and more effective security responses.
Beyond security, the governor said Lagos has engaged hospitality operators to curb arbitrary price hikes during the festive season, warning that the state would “name and shame” businesses that breach booking commitments or exploit visitors.
Sanwo-Olu assured residents that emergency responders, traffic officials and law enforcement agencies are on heightened alert, operating extended shifts to ensure safety, traffic control and quick emergency response throughout the festive period.
