The President of Team Nigeria for Change, Bestman Nze Jumbo, says Lagos has recorded remarkable progress in security under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, but warns that unemployment and illiteracy remain potential threats to sustaining those gains.

Speaking in an exclusive interview, Mr Jumbo, who is also the publisher of Eko Mii Eko e and Managing Director/CEO of Image Expressions Limited, described the state’s biggest security challenge as the influx of unchecked migrants from across West Africa.

“You’ll be amazed at the number of people coming into Lagos from Niger, Chad, Ghana, Togo, Benin. Because a whole lot of them are largely unchecked, they pose a lot of security threats — some that even pit us against one another,” he said.

He credited the state government for reducing crime, noting:

“I can’t remember the last time I heard that ‘area boys’ collected a car. I can’t remember the last time I heard there was a bank robbery. Whether we like it or not, security has really improved in Lagos, and Lagosians are better for it.”

Security Beyond Lagos

While insisting that Lagos’s first responsibility is to protect its own residents, Mr Jumbo urged other states to learn from Lagos’s successes.

He called for inter-state collaboration on security, similar to agricultural partnerships like the Lagos–Kebbi rice project.

However, he warned that “security cannot be the way we want it to be if there is still massive unemployment”, adding that an unproductive, unenlightened population is vulnerable to recruitment by criminal groups.

Community Policing and ‘Alternative Security’

Mr Jumbo expressed reservations about state police, citing political abuse, but backed community policing and Lagos’s alternative security model.

“A lot of people who were previously regarded as useless… have all been put into teams, into cells, into groups. They secure their communities, supply intelligence, and drastically reduce crimes like road hijacking. It is working.”

Inclusivity and Governance

On inclusivity, Mr Jumbo said Lagos remains unmatched in integrating people of diverse ethnic, religious, and political backgrounds into governance.

“Presently, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor is from Delta. I work directly in a support capacity with the Governor and I’m not Yoruba… Even by religion, we don’t know who is Muslim or Christian when it comes to governance.”

He noted that women’s empowerment and broad representation have become part of Lagos’s governance template, making the policy sustainable beyond Sanwo-Olu’s tenure.

Tribal Unity

Rejecting ethnic prejudice, Mr Jumbo stressed that Lagos’s progress comes from collaboration, not division.

“The fact that a land prospers you does not mean it is not owned. Lagos’s success comes from creating a platform where Igbos, Hausas, and others can succeed.”

Land Grabbing and Enforcement

Addressing land grabbing — a persistent issue in Lagos — Mr Jumbo revealed that he is slated to head enforcement in a new Lagos anti-land grabbing agency.

“You cannot eradicate crime 100%, but you can checkmate it. Lagos’s land grabbing agency has done a fantastic job, but citizens must also verify documents before buying.”

He urged victims to report cases to the agency or take legal action, even though they may not recover lost funds.

Political and Professional Journey

Mr Jumbo, who once worked closely with Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and served as APC Congress Chairman for the state, said his political engagement is driven by advocacy through his NGO.

“I support good governance across parties — I’ve worked in Abia with Governor Otti and in Ogun State under Gbenga Daniel. I enjoy what I do; that’s how I cope.”

This interview highlights both the successes and the lingering challenges in Lagos’s security landscape, the potential of community-led safety initiatives, and the state’s reputation for inclusive governance.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has lauded the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, Dayo Akinbisehin, and his team for their dedication to duty, innovation, and adherence to ethical policing standards.

The commendation came during CP Jimoh’s official visit to the SCID facility at Panti, where he was warmly received by DC Akinbisehin and introduced to senior officers and management personnel. The visit included an inspection of several recovered stolen vehicles, a testament to the department’s effectiveness under DC Akinbisehin’s leadership.

In his welcome address, DC Dayo Akinbisehin expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Commissioner for his ongoing support and mentorship.

“We are profoundly grateful for your guidance and professionalism, sir. The successes we have recorded in recent months are largely due to the standard of leadership you continue to exemplify,” DC Akinbisehin stated.

Reacting, CP Jimoh applauded the competence and integrity demonstrated by officers of the State CID in managing and resolving complex criminal cases.

“I commend the efforts and dedication of the State CID officers. Your handling of high-profile cases has brought pride to this command,” he remarked.

CP Jimoh also took note of the department’s infrastructural improvements and the newly installed tributes honoring the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun.

“This new look reflects the professionalism and respect we must uphold within the Nigerian Police Force. I encourage you all to stay committed to the ethical standards enshrined in the Police Act,” he added.

As part of the engagement, DC Akinbisehin made strategic requests to further enhance operational efficiency and capacity building within the department. He emphasized the need for continued investment in tools and personnel training to sustain their performance.

Concluding the event, CP Jimoh reiterated a strong message on the use of firearms by officers. He emphasized the principles of Proportionality, Legality, Accountability, and Necessity (PLAN) as critical to maintaining public trust and lawful conduct in police operations.

“Let us not forget that every action we take while armed must be justified and guided by these fundamental principles,” CP Jimoh advised.

The visit marks a significant moment in ongoing efforts to improve community policing and internal accountability within the Lagos State Police Command.

There are fresh calls within security and political circles urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to revisit his 2023 political journey and reward loyalty—particularly among high-ranking security officials who allegedly risked everything to secure his emergence as president.

A well-informed source who spoke on condition of anonymity told NigeriaUpdates that out of the 10 key service chiefs who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari and were inherited by Tinubu during his early months in office, three played extraordinary behind-the-scenes roles to ensure that the then-presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was declared winner of the 2023 general election.

“These three men became enemies to their colleagues who wanted to do the bidding of those who never wanted Asiwaju,” the source disclosed. “They blocked the interim government plan allegedly orchestrated by former Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Governor Hope Uzodinma, APC’s then National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu, and others.”

According to the insider, these military and intelligence officers took significant personal risks, including financial, reputational, and professional, to counter internal threats within government institutions.

“They spent serious amounts of money in hard currencies to thwart hidden agendas by the likes of [former CBN Governor] Godwin Emefiele, [former AGF] Abubakar Malami, and others,” the source added. “Two weeks to the election, they were nearly fired for refusing to shift ground. They fought deadly security and intelligence battles—both locally and internationally—for Asiwaju’s emergence.”

Despite their sacrifices, only one of the three officers has reportedly been rewarded, while the other two have been largely ignored by the current administration.

Security Power Play Ahead of 2027

Observers argue that Tinubu may soon face significant challenges in navigating the complex landscape of Nigeria’s security and intelligence architecture, particularly as preparations for the 2027 general election begin to take shape.

“Asiwaju will find it very difficult to navigate through the security and intelligence power-play owing to the fact that his current Chief of Army Staff doesn’t command the needed followership like the late Lagbaja did,” said the source. “Hence, the need for him to employ the services of some security and intelligence veterans.”

The source further warned that President Tinubu is currently being furnished with “half-baked” intelligence, which may be compromising national security strategy and political calculations.

“To call a spade a spade, Asiwaju is furnished with half-baked intelligence as at today. His opponents are far more enriched with intelligence. Saboteurs are everywhere,” the source claimed.

A Test of Loyalty and Strategy

Political analysts note that how President Tinubu handles the loyalty question among his former security allies could either strengthen or weaken his long-term strategy. The build-up to 2027 is already being monitored by both domestic opposition and international players, and many within his camp believe that re-engaging tested loyalists will be key to survival and success.

Background

The 2023 election was one of Nigeria’s most contentious, with widespread concerns about vote suppression, security breaches, and elite interference. Allegations of plots to derail the democratic process through unconstitutional means, such as an “interim government,” surfaced in the weeks leading up to the election.

While Tinubu’s eventual victory was confirmed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), multiple stakeholders have since suggested that it took more than just votes to protect the integrity of the election result.