The Lagos State Task Force has unveiled a new security initiative as the Lagos anti-crime patrol unit was launched to combat rising criminal activities and environmental violations across the state.
The unit is designed to operate as a rapid response team targeting threats to public safety.
The launch of the Lagos anti-crime patrol unit comes amid ongoing efforts by authorities to strengthen internal security and enforcement operations in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
Lagos, as a densely populated urban centre, faces persistent challenges such as street crime, drug peddling, and environmental infractions.
The state government has continued to rely on specialised enforcement agencies like the Lagos State Task Force to address these issues through targeted operations.
The introduction of the new patrol unit reflects a shift toward more proactive and intelligence-driven policing strategies aimed at preventing crime before escalation.
Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force, CSP Adetayo Akerele, unveiled the Lagos anti-crime patrol unit at the agency’s headquarters in Bolade, Oshodi.
He stated that the initiative was created to flush out criminal elements posing threats to residents and visitors.
According to Akerele, the unit will function as a rapid response team with the mandate to arrest and prosecute offenders involved in a wide range of offences.
“The unit will operate as a rapid response team with the mandate to arrest and prosecute offenders involved in drug peddling, street urchinism, activities of ‘area boys,’ also known as ‘Omotaku,’ raids on criminal hideouts, environmental offences such as indiscriminate waste disposal, attacks on government officials on duty, quackery, and ‘one-chance’ robbery,” he said.
He further explained that the agency would intensify surveillance and enforcement across identified flashpoints, noting that operations would be sustained throughout the year.
“We will be all out to stamp out criminal activities in the state this year. No stone will be left unturned to compel criminals to desist from their acts or relocate from Lagos State,” Akerele added.
The Lagos anti-crime patrol unit is expected to operate round the clock, focusing on early detection, deterrence, and neutralisation of criminal activities before they escalate into major security threats.
The deployment of the Lagos anti-crime patrol unit signals a renewed effort by authorities to strengthen urban security and improve public safety in the state.
By targeting both criminal activities and environmental violations, the initiative adopts a broader enforcement approach that addresses multiple sources of disorder within the city.
The move may also enhance coordination between enforcement agencies and residents, particularly as authorities have urged the public to provide credible information to support operations.
