LAGOS STATE POLICE COMMAND BEGINS 24-HOUR PATROL ON COASTAL ROAD TO BOOST SAFETY
LAGOS STATE POLICE COMMAND BEGINS 24-HOUR PATROL ON COASTAL ROAD TO BOOST SAFETY
Wuddeama Manga// The Lagos State Police Command has rolled out round-the-clock anti-crime patrols along the newly opened coastal road in Victoria Island. Commissioner of Police Olohundare Jimoh announced the move during a show-of-force exercise, saying four mobile patrol teams will work in shifts to keep the route secure day and night. The idea is straightforward: the coastal road eases traffic congestion, but it also runs through construction zones and sparsely monitored stretches, making commuters, truck drivers, and workers vulnerable to robbery, vandalism of equipment, theft, and other opportunistic crimes. By keeping officers permanently on the corridor, the command hopes to deter attacks, protect expensive construction machinery, and give motorists confidence to use the faster route without fear of ambushes.
Why now?
Jimoh framed the patrol as preventive—not reactive. The road is brand new, equipment is still on site, and past openings in Lagos have seen spikes in “area boy” extortion and theft before security catches up. The commissioner also noted Lagos has already seen a sharp drop in major crimes during his tenure, and he wants the coastal road to stay that way, with officers tasked to respond quickly to accidents or reports of trouble.
The other side of the conversation
Plenty of motorists and residents are wary. Social feeds quickly filled with the familiar Lagos refrain: that more police checkpoints can become toll gates for bribes. Commenters under news posts called the move “another opportunity to create road block to collect bribe,” recalling everyday experiences where officers hide near turns or construction gaps to extort drivers who “ask for directions” or stop at red lights. A meme from Wazobia FM even joked that police arrested a car for asking directions on the coastal road, pleading for proper signboards so officers don’t invent violations. This isn’t paranoia alone—Lagosians have documented hidden checkpoints, demands for ₦20,000-₦70,000, and arbitrary arrests along other corridors, fueling skepticism whenever a new deployment is announced.
The command has pushed back, publishing denials when viral claims accused officers of seizing motorcycles and demanding ₦200,000 on the same road. Whether the patrols stay purely protective or drift into extortion will depend on supervision, clear signage, and quick accountability for officers who cross the line—something citizens are already demanding in comments and community posts. For now, the plan is live: four teams, 24 hours, a show of force, and a city watching closely to see which version of Lagos policing shows up on the coast.
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