The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Tijani, has called for stronger collaboration between the police and residents to tackle crime and other security challenges across the state, particularly in Ikorodu.
Tijani made the call on Thursday at a town hall meeting with personnel of Area N Command and other stakeholders in Ikorodu, themed, “Strengthening Community Partnership for a Safer and More Secure Ikorodu.”
He stressed that effective community policing required the support, cooperation and timely provision of credible information by residents.
The CP urged community leaders, parents, youths and other stakeholders to work closely with the police to identify and address emerging security threats before they escalate.
“Security is a collective responsibility and requires all stakeholders to play their respective roles in creating a peaceful and safe environment,” he said.
Tijani urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons and activities to the police, assuring them that credible information would be treated appropriately.
He also charged police personnel to remain professional, respect residents’ rights and respond promptly to the concerns of the communities they serve.
According to him, the engagement was part of efforts to strengthen police-community relations and provide stakeholders with an opportunity to discuss security concerns affecting Ikorodu.
He assured residents that the command remained committed to protecting lives and property, preventing crime and maintaining law and order across Lagos.
Also speaking, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu Kingdom, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, urged residents to support the police and other security agencies with credible information.
Shotobi said effective security required cooperation among residents, traditional institutions, government and security agencies, stressing that no single institution could tackle security challenges alone.
The traditional ruler also warned against spreading unverified information, describing fake news as a threat to peace and security. He urged residents to verify information before sharing it to avoid creating unnecessary tension.
He further called on parents and community leaders to monitor the activities of youths and guide them away from crime and other acts capable of threatening peace.
The stakeholders commended the police command for the engagement and raised concerns affecting the community, while Tijani assured them that the issues would be considered and efforts made to address them.