Lagos Police Say Street Urchin Gangs Reduced to “Barest” as Crime Rates Decline

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Olohundare Jimoh, has said that gangs of street urchins, popularly referred to as “area boys”, have been reduced to the barest minimum across the state following sustained and intensified policing operations.

Speaking on Thursday, January 8, during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, the police boss highlighted what he described as significant security gains recorded in recent months, assuring residents that the command remains fully committed to maintaining law and order across Lagos.

Intensified Policing Yields Results

According to Jimoh, deliberate operational strategies have helped the police drastically curtail street-level criminality. He dismissed widespread fears of unchecked gang activities, stating that the situation has changed markedly.

“The one million boys going out and street urchins, we have eradicated them to the barest in Lagos,” the commissioner said. He added that security operations have reached a level where it is increasingly difficult for criminals to carry out major offences openly on the streets.

Akahi News gathered that the Lagos State Police Command has ramped up patrols, intelligence-led operations and rapid response mechanisms in crime-prone areas, contributing to the reported improvements in public safety.

Traffic Robberies at Historic Low

The commissioner also noted a sharp decline in traffic-related robberies, a crime that has long troubled commuters in the state. According to him, incidents of such robberies have reduced to what he described as their lowest level in recent times.

“Even the issue of traffic robbery has gone to the lowest level as at three to four days now, there has been no serious incident reported throughout Lagos State,” Jimoh stated.

Security observers believe that the combination of visible policing, stop-and-search operations and community intelligence has played a critical role in curbing these crimes, especially along major highways and congested traffic corridors.

No Incidents During Major Festive Events

Jimoh further pointed to the peaceful conduct of major events during the festive season as evidence that crime prevention strategies are working. He cited the New Year celebrations, Christmas festivities, the Eyo Festival and several large-scale concerts that attracted thousands of people across Lagos.

“During all these events, no incidents were recorded,” he said, stressing that comprehensive planning and preventive measures were deployed ahead of each gathering.

According to Akahi News, the absence of reported security breaches during such high-profile events has boosted public confidence in the ability of the police to manage crowd control and prevent opportunistic crimes.

Support From Federal and State Authorities

The commissioner attributed the improved security situation to strong institutional support from the Inspector General of Police, the Ministry of Police Affairs and the Lagos State Government. He said this collaboration has ensured that logistics for patrols and operations are adequately provided.

“So it’s unheard of that somebody wants a police assistant and you will be asking for fuel,” Jimoh remarked, suggesting that operational constraints that previously hampered policing have been significantly reduced.

Call for Public Cooperation

Despite the reported progress, Jimoh emphasised that community cooperation remains vital. He urged residents to promptly report crimes or suspicious activities, advising them to escalate complaints to senior officers when necessary.

“They should report to the most senior officer in that department, which is the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and the Area Commander,” he said.

He also provided dedicated contact numbers for incident reporting: 08032569029 and 07019852222, encouraging Lagos residents to make use of these channels.

While the police command’s claims have been welcomed by many residents, security analysts caution that sustained efforts and transparency will be essential to maintain public trust. Continuous engagement with communities and consistent enforcement, they say, will determine whether the current gains can be preserved in the long term.

For now, Akahi News learnt that the Lagos State Police Command remains on high alert, with the commissioner reaffirming that law enforcement officers are “not resting” in their duty to keep the state safe.

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Joseph Iyaji is a journalist, educator, and founder of Akahi G. International, Akahi Tutors, and Akahi News. Read more about him here.
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