The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has urged residents of Lagos to embrace community policing and provide security agencies with timely information.
He made the call during the unveiling of a new divisional police headquarters in the Ikorodu area of the state.
The new facility, located in Elepe, Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Area, was unveiled on Monday as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security infrastructure and deepen community policing.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the community had been without a police division for years, while the next one to it is the Ijede Police Division.
Described as a “smart police station,” the divisional headquarters was delivered under the Nigeria Police Trust Fund initiative and is expected to enhance operational efficiency and crime prevention.
The Inspector-General of Police, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department, DCP Dayo Akinbisehin, said the project marked a significant milestone in the police reform agenda.
He said, “This marks another significant milestone in the Nigeria Police Force’s ongoing efforts to strengthen security through improved infrastructure, professionalism, and community-oriented policing.”
“A well-equipped and conducive working environment like this will undoubtedly enhance operational efficiency and capability and also improve service delivery to the good people of this community.”
He commended the Nigeria Police Trust Fund for executing the project, describing the fund’s commitment to modern police infrastructure as worthy of appreciation.
According to him, the commissioning of divisional police headquarters goes beyond physical structures, noting that it represents a strategic investment in public safety, crime prevention, and community confidence in policing.
Akinbisehin urged officers posted to the division to ensure proper maintenance and responsible use of the facility, while also calling on residents of the host community to cooperate with the police.
“Security is a shared responsibility. The police are not magicians; we cannot do it all alone,” he added.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, Mohammed Sheidu, said the project, executed as a special intervention of the Nigerian Police Trust Fund, underscores the mandate to close critical infrastructure gaps.
He said, “In our ongoing efforts to improve police infrastructure and enhance service delivery at the grassroots level.
“This project, executed as a special intervention of the Nigerian Police Trust Fund, underscores our mandate to close critical infrastructure gaps and provide our officers with functional, modern, and dignified work environments.
He also affirmed that the NPTF would further deploy resources to support the force.
“I want to reaffirm the completion of the Nigerian Police Trust Fund that will continue to deploy resources that will strategically support police training, police infrastructure, and the improvement and welfare nationwide in line with Mr President’s vision,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, the member of the House of Representatives for Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Babajimi Benson, described the project as a step in the right direction towards tackling crime at the grassroots.
According to him, the project aligned with the federal government’s security reform agenda.
He said, “It’s a smart police station to help reduce crime. We hope it serves as a deterrent and keeps bad elements away from this community.”
On his part, the Chairman of Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, Hammed Aroyewun, attributed the speedy completion of the project to effective collaboration between the Police Trust Fund and engineers handling the project.
This beautiful edifice is for the protection of lives and property. Residents should cooperate with the police and shun criminal activities,” he added.
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