The Lagos State police command has announced a significant decline in violent crime, attributing the progress to strengthened community–police collaboration, enhanced operational deployments, and an ongoing statewide security exercise.

The Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, made this known during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Ikeja on Monday.

Mr Jimoh said that Lagos remains safe and secure, especially as residents and visitors prepare for “Detty December” activities and end-of-year travels.

He commended members of the public, community, groups and institutions for their continued cooperation with the police, describing their support as crucial to the state’s improved security outlook.

He explained that security operations had been intensified under the ongoing ’ember’ security mode, a special end-of-year operation covering September through December.

“So far, from the beginning of the ’ember’ mode till date, we have not recorded any significant security breach.

“This is due to the collaboration between the community and the police,” he said.

The police boss assured residents that the heavy police presence across roads, neighbourhoods and known black spots should not be a cause for alarm, adding that the deployments were aimed at sustaining the current level of safety.

He said that additional patrols, stop-and-search points, response units and security posts had been activated across the state.

Mr Jimoh urged Lagosians and visitors not to cancel travel plans, assuring that families and properties left behind will remain secure.

“We want to encourage those travelling out of Lagos to be free to travel, knowing that the family and property they leave behind are secure.

“Equally, those coming from outside Nigeria into Lagos should know that Lagos is safe and secure,” he said.

He stated that intensified deployments will continue into the New Year, particularly in markets, places of worship and other public spaces expected to record high traffic during the festive season.

“Lagos is safe and secure, we will continue to maintain this level of security so that all residents can go about their daily activities without fear, ” he said.

(NAN)