Lagos Police Rolls Out 30,000 Officers For Local Government Elections

Ahead of Saturday’s local government elections in Lagos State, the police command has confirmed the deployment of over 30,000 officers to maintain order and secure the voting process across all polling units.

Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, announced the plan during a press briefing on election security held in Lagos. He explained that the deployment includes the 20,000 officers already stationed in the state and 10,000 more personnel approved by the Inspector General of Police to support operations for the election.

The officers will be posted to all 13,325 polling units spread across the 20 local government areas and 33 local council development areas in Lagos. The security operation will cover three phases—before, during, and after the election—with each phase designed to prevent disruption and protect voters and election workers.

The commissioner assured that all sensitive areas have been mapped out through threat assessments, and various security measures are in place to counter any potential problems. Specialized units such as the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Lagos State Taskforce, marine police, and other tactical teams will assist in covering both land and coastal zones.

To ensure transparency and coordination, the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, which CP Jimoh co-chairs with the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), has been working with the police, military, and other agencies.

On election day, vehicular movement will be restricted from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This change from the earlier 3:00 a.m. start is meant to allow emergency services and travellers to move freely before the polls open. Although officers at polling stations will not carry firearms, armed response teams will be nearby to respond to any incidents.

The police command has warned political thugs and troublemakers to stay away from polling areas, vowing strict action against anyone attempting to disrupt the election. Jimoh referenced past incidents in areas like Apapa and Ijora but insisted that security gaps from previous elections have now been closed.

To build public trust, the commissioner stressed that the police remain non-partisan and will not tolerate any form of political interference. He also urged civil society organizations and election observers to verify information before making accusations.

Voters were encouraged to come out and cast their votes peacefully. Jimoh said that arrangements have been made to ensure persons living with disabilities can participate fully. Any candidate or supporter aggrieved by the outcome of the polls was advised to pursue legal action through the courts instead of resorting to violence.

The show of force conducted earlier in the day by security operatives served as a visible warning to criminals and a reassurance to citizens that the police are ready to ensure a safe and credible election.