Lagos State Gets New CP

The new Commissioner of Police deployed to Lagos State Police Command, Adegoke Fayoade, has assumed duty.
A statement by the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this yesterday..
Fayoade is taking over from Idowu Owohunwa, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police and redeployed to the AIG Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos.
According to Hundeyin, Fayoade, an indigene of Ila-Orangun in Osun State, joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education/History from Lagos State University, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Lagos, and an LLB from the National Open University of Nigeria.
He had attended courses at home and abroad, some of which include: Criminal Justice Administration at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, USA; Adopting Community Policing Ethos in Training Academy, USIP, Washington DC, USA; Leadership and Senior Management Course, Police Staff College, Jos; Leveraging International Police Cooperation Organisations for Countering Violent Extremism, Abu-Dhabi; and the Senior Executive Course 45 at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos.
The police commissioner was a two-time winner of Best Divisional Police Officer in Africa, awarded in The Hague, Netherlands, and Nairobi, Kenya, in 2007 and 2013, while he was DPO in Ilupeju and Victoria Island, respectively.
“He was also a recipient of the Lagos State Government Honour Award for Excellence in 2013 while he was DPO Victoria Island; a two-time winner of the Meritorious Award on Crime Fighting from the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria; and a Youth Motivation Award from the National Association of Nigerian Students.
“As a younger officer, he served in Taraba, Akwa-Ibom, and Abia States. His other previous postings include: Commandant, Police Training College, Oyin-Akoko, Ondo State; Area Commander, Ota Area Command, Ogun State, where he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Oto Awori Community; DCP Maritime Command, Lagos; DCP Administration at Zone 2 Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos; and DCP State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Lagos.
“Upon his promotion to the rank of Commissioner of Police in September 2022, he was deployed as CP Armament, Force Headquarters, Abuja, from where he proceeded to the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Jos, earning him Member of the National Institute (mni) in December 2023,” Hundeyin said.
The Lagos State Government enjoined Lagos residents to give CP Fayoade maximum support in the discharge of his duty of piloting the affairs of safety and security of lives and property in the State.
Fayoade has, however, assured the provision of watertight security during and after the Christmas and New Year celebrations in the State.
Fayoade gave the assurance yesterday while interacting with newsmen after taking over as the new CP in Lagos Command.
Fayoade took over the baton of leadership from DCP Waheed Ayinllara, who was the acting CP.
He said that the command was going to work in synergy with other security agencies to secure all areas of Lagos, through the air, land, and water.
He also promised to check the perennial traffic across the state.
“Residents of Lagos should go about their normal businesses, they should enjoy their Christmas and New Year.
“We are going to provide a watertight security that will protect lives and properties. Our men will be visible in all areas, and fun centres, and our patrol will be very effective. Christmas and New Year will be crime-free,” he assured.
He, however, commended the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, for his unwavering support and commitment to the issue of security and safety in the State.
He also appreciated his predecessor, AIG Idowu Owohunwa, and the Acting CP, DCP Waheed Ayillara, who held forth, sustained and improved on the established security architecture in the state.
Fayoade pledged his dedication, commitment and resolve to the principles of justice and community safety in Lagos.
According to him, the unalloyed commitment and that of the officers and men of the Command is to ensure the safety and security of the people of Lagos State.
“This will be achieved through practical, proactive policing, community engagement, strict and effective law enforcement strategies. I am determined to create a peaceful and crime-free environment in which all residents of Lagos can flourish.
“Our vision is to be a highly professional and trustworthy Police force that serves as a beacon of excellence in maintaining law and order.
“We aim to build a strong partnership with community members, local organisations and law enforcement agencies to foster a safe and secure environment for all and sundry,” he said.
The new CP noted that his vision for effective policing of Lagos will rest on some pillars, which include community engagement and crime prevention and reduction among others.
Speaking on kidnapping, cultism and robbery/traffic robbery, Fayoade said that a special focus will be on these crimes as they negatively impact the citizens and society.
He said that a specialised unit, made up of well-trained and properly-equipped personnel will be established to work closely with other law enforcement agencies that will confront these crimes.
The police boss said he will collaborate with the judiciary to ensure swift prosecution and conviction of criminals to serve as deterrence.
He assured that intelligence gathering capabilities will be strengthened, and the battle will be taken frontally to the criminal elements, hotspots and vulnerable areas.
He said that they would be in the aggressive pursuit of violators of the law and ensured the public space was dominated by the officers.
“It is pertinent to note that the clampdown on commercial motorcycle operators in prohibited areas, which has led to a drastic reduction of crime and accident cases will be sustained and intensified.
“Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers will give daily updates on the level of compliance in their areas of responsibility. Other measures will be placed to ensure smooth, total and strict compliance,” he assured.