The Lagos State Police Command on Sunday conducted a statewide security operation tagged Show of Force, aimed at reinforcing public confidence and deterring post-election disturbances, as collation of results from Saturday’s local government elections continues.
The operation, led by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olohundare Jimoh, covered several strategic areas across the state, including Ikeja, Ifako, Iyana Oworo, Bariga, Somolu, Akoka, and ended at the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) headquarters in Yaba.
Speaking during the exercise, Mr. Jimoh said the operation marked the final phase of a three-part security strategy which began with pre-election deployments and continued through election day security. He explained that while the voting process was largely peaceful, it was essential to maintain visible policing to forestall any unrest following the announcement of results.
“This post-election patrol is meant to send a clear message to those who might seek to cause trouble that the police are fully prepared,” he stated. “It also reassures the public that normalcy has been restored and that citizens can go about their daily lives without fear.”
The Commissioner added that the Lagos Police Command had restored unrestricted movement across the state following the end of the election-day curfew, and officers remain on alert for any attempts to breach public order.
During the stop at the LASIEC office in Yaba, the Police Commissioner held a closed-door meeting with the leadership of the electoral body. He described the engagement as a strategic review of security operations, noting that both agencies remain aligned in their assessment of the conduct and credibility of the elections.
Mr. Jimoh praised the cooperation of Lagos residents and expressed satisfaction with the overall security performance. He also urged political actors and party supporters to remain peaceful and allow the electoral process to conclude without interference.
The police advised the public to continue reporting any suspicious activity to security hotlines and pledged to respond swiftly to any threats to peace and order across the state.