Lagos State TaskForce

One-Way: Police Condemn Harassment, Obstruction of RRS Operatives in Lekki The Lagos State Police Command has condemned the alleged harassment and obstruction of RRS operatives by a motorist who confronted their patrol team in Lekki over its movement against traffic. The Command, in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, explained that the officers were responding to distress calls from motorists trapped in a traffic gridlock and had been directed by the Command’s Control Room to clear the obstruction. According to the statement, the patrol team, led by an Inspector of Police, was the closest available police formation to the location and had to navigate through the opposite lane to reach the source of the obstruction. The Command explained that the officers’ action was an operational decision aimed at restoring the free flow of traffic and preventing the congestion from spreading to adjoining roads. It cited Regulation 158 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012, which permits law enforcement officers responding to emergencies or engaged in civil protection to disregard traffic signs, provided they exercise due regard for the safety of other road users. The statement read, “The movement of Police vehicles against the normal direction of traffic is permissible under legally recognised emergency and operational circumstances, particularly when officers are responding to distress calls, pursuing criminal suspects, undertaking urgent security operations or carrying out other exigent official duties.” The Command, however, expressed concern over the confrontation captured in the trending video, describing the alleged harassment and deliberate obstruction of the officers as unacceptable. It further stated that the individuals involved had allegedly blocked the road, denying other motorists access and infringing on their rights to free movement. “The deliberate blocking of the road by the individuals, thereby denying other motorists and road users access to the road, is unacceptable and constitutes an infringement on the rights of other road users. “Such conduct also amounts to obstruction of Police officers in the lawful discharge of their duties according to Section 98 of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020,” the statement added. While acknowledging the right of citizens to question police conduct and demand accountability, the Command warned against intimidating, harassing or obstructing officers carrying out lawful assignments. It also cautioned social media content creators against deliberately provoking or obstructing police personnel to generate sensational online content, warning that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law. The Command, however, assured residents that it remained open to genuine complaints, constructive criticism and legitimate public scrutiny, provided these were pursued within the confines of the law. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, reiterated the Command’s commitment to professional, responsive and accountable policing. He assured residents that the Command would continue to protect lives and property, maintain public order and ensure the free movement of persons and vehicles across the state.

IGP DISU SECURES PROPOSED TRAINING FOR 5,000 POLICE OFFICERS IN NIGERIA–US–ITALY SECURITY PARTNERSHIP The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, has advanced a trilateral security cooperation framework involving Nigeria, the United States and Italy, targeting specialised training for up to 5,000 police personnel. During his working visit to Italy, IGP Disu engaged Italian law enforcement authorities on strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to tackle terrorism, kidnapping, arms trafficking and other security threats through specialised training, intelligence sharing and technology transfer. A major highlight was the proposed training programme, which will prioritise counter-insurgency, tactical operations and policing of challenging rural and forested terrains. Other areas include digital forensics, cybercrime, explosives detection, intelligence-led operations and financial investigations. At a meeting with the Commander General of the Italian Carabinieri, Lieutenant-General Salvatore Luongo, discussions focused on technical assistance, institutional development and enhanced operational capacity. At the Carabinieri Centre of Excellence for Stability Police Units (CoESPU), Vicenza, the delegation also explored leadership programmes for senior and junior officers, specialised training for tactical units and support for developing Nigeria’s stability policing doctrine. The IGP further proposed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalise cooperation in training, technology transfer and operational standards, while inviting a Carabinieri assessment team to Abuja to identify priority needs and implementation strategies. IGP Disu reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to strategic international partnerships that strengthen operational readiness, enhance investigative capabilities and improve the protection of lives and property.

Captain of the Super Falcons and French forward for Paris Saint-Germain, Rasheedat Ajibade sent out a thoughtful message to the girls on this special day for the Girl Child organised by POCACOV @POCACOV_FHQ_NG @OnneIkwen @PoliceNG #POCACOVForTheGirlChild

This is where l first became a DPO. This is where i tested my leadership abilities - IGP TUNJI DISU

A HUSBAND’S NIGHTMARE: HOW BAYELSA VCRU RESCUED SARAH AFTER MONTH-LONG KIDNAP ORDEAL For nearly one month, a Bayelsa man lived through every husband’s worst nightmare, knowing that his wife, Sarah Ama, was alive, but trapped somewhere deep in the creeks in the hands of kidnappers. Sarah was abducted on 28th July, 2026, and from that moment, her husband’s life became a painful cycle of anxiety, negotiations and desperate prayers for her safe return. The kidnappers initially demanded N50,000,000, then N30,000,000. After prolonged negotiations, the demand was eventually reduced, and the husband first paid N300,000. The kidnappers subsequently demanded and collected another N1,500,000, bringing the total ransom paid to N1,800,000. But instead of honouring their promise to release their victim after receiving the money, the criminals raised the stakes, demanding a further ₦3,500,000 to finally release Sarah. The kidnappers, in their greed, demanded more money. “Do you think we will release your wife? My friend! Go and look for another ₦3,500,000.” What they did not know was that their greed would eventually provide the police with the opportunity to rescue their victim. While the kidnappers were busy in town enjoying the ₦1.5 million they had collected, they made a critical mistake: they left only one of their men behind to guard Sarah. For the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) of the Nigeria Police Force, that was an opportunity that could not be missed. The VCRU, a brainchild of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, was established to tackle serious and violent crimes, including kidnapping, through intelligence-led and technology-driven policing. In Bayelsa, the rescue operation was spearheaded by the VCRU Commander, CSP Chris Nwaogbo, but it was not a mission conceived overnight. For days, Nwaogbo had been studying the terrain. He personally carried out surveillance around the creeks several times with his boat, navigating the difficult waterways and gathering information about the area. Each trip brought the police closer to understanding where Sarah was being held and how the kidnappers were operating. Then came 22nd August, 2026. Armed with vital intelligence gathered from several sources, the VCRU Commander sought and obtained the approval of the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, CP Adewale Ajao, to launch the operation. This time, there would be no turning back. Nwaogbo fuelled his gun-boat to capacity. In the dead of night, with the creeks cloaked in darkness, he set out with his team on the dangerous journey to the kidnappers’ hideout. The operation demanded precision. One wrong move could alert the criminals and put Sarah’s life, as well as those of the rescuers, in danger. Technology had already provided a crucial advantage. With the assistance of a police officer equipped with specialised tracking capabilities, investigators had been able to follow a fresh telephone line used by the kidnappers after they changed numbers. But technology alone was not enough. Local intelligence was also deployed. A local fisherman familiar with the terrain was able to confirm that Sarah was still being held in the forest. Piece by piece, the VCRU assembled the intelligence needed for the strike. And as Nwaogbo and his team moved through the creeks in the darkness, they knew exactly what they were going after. When the team finally reached the hideout, the situation was almost unbelievable. The majority of the kidnappers had left to spend the ransom money. Only one remained behind. He was arrested. Inside the hideout was Sarah, blindfolded and having spent almost a month in captivity. She was rescued. The operation also led to the recovery of extended ammunition and live cartridges. But the rescue came with another chilling revelation. Sarah’s husband reportedly discovered that the suspect arrested was his own neighbour, a man who regularly visited his compound to