Security
Residents in Lagos Accuse Police Inspector of Extortion, Violence and “Terrorising” Community
Residents in the Ikotun and Ijegun areas of Lagos have accused a police inspector of violently intimidating the community, claiming he has been shooting in the air, extorting business owners and framing residents who refuse to pay him.
They say the officer, Inspector Kolawole Olanrewaju Olopade, attached to the CP Tactical Squad, has operated “like a demigod” despite complaints to the police authorities.
The Lagos State Police Command has not yet publicly responded to the allegations.
Why It Matters
The accusations come amid growing public concern about police accountability in Nigeria.
Residents say the officer’s alleged actions have paralysed businesses, created fear across neighbourhoods and raised urgent questions about the oversight of tactical units.
Community members fear coming forward because of alleged reprisals.
‘He Shoots in the Air to Announce His Presence’
Several business owners told journalists they now close earlier than usual because they do not know when the officer might appear.
One resident, who requested anonymity, described Olopade as “feared and worshipped” in the area.
“Olopade is like a demigod… especially on Governor Road. Nobody challenges him,” the resident said.
Community sources allege that despite being redeployed earlier this year, the officer has refused to leave his former base and continues to parade himself as the “Commander” of the tactical squad.
They also claim his vehicle, a Toyota Camry with an Abuja number plate, carries a customised tag: Federal 1.
Allegations of Violence and Extortion
Residents say the inspector often demands money from hoteliers, bar owners, artisans and traders “for protection”, threatening raids or arrests if they refuse.
Witnesses allege that he routinely brandishes firearms, including a cut-to-size AK-47 rifle and two Beretta pistols.
In one incident in 2024, he was accused of shooting a man known locally as Alowonle in the leg after a personal disagreement involving a romantic relationship.
There was no subsequent prosecution over the inspector’s allegation that the victim purchased a stolen generator.
Another resident said the officer tortured a phone seller with a pestle during an arrest that witnesses insist was staged.
A man who was allegedly abducted from a hotel and detained over a fake petition said he paid ₦800,000 to regain freedom.
“After I reported to Zone 2, they summoned his team and refunded my money and wristwatch,” he said.
Recent Shooting at Petrol Station
The most recent incident occurred on 1 December at around 10:15 p.m., when residents reported hearing gunshots near Petrocam Filling Station on Ijegun Road.
Employees at the station confirmed to an undercover journalist that there was no robbery.
“It was just Olopade. He shot into the air when he came in,” a staff member said. “He’s a popular policeman here.”
This raised fresh panic among residents already tense over rising insecurity.
Community Reaction
Local leaders, including the traditional ruler, are said to be frustrated by the lack of action despite repeated petitions.
A resident said many initially assumed that the Tactical Squad was behind the harassment.
“We later discovered it was one rogue officer. One bad egg causing chaos,” he said.
Multiple residents say they now live “under fear”, claiming that refusal to pay money “may spell doom”.
What Police Authorities Are Expected to Do Next
Human rights advocates say the allegations, if confirmed, highlight systemic gaps in oversight of tactical police units.
A Lagos-based security expert told NigeriaUpdates that such cases reinforce the need for independent investigations into officers accused of misconduct.
The Lagos State Government is also being urged to intervene to prevent further escalation.
Industry Reactions
Security experts say the case reflects wider concerns about tactical unit excesses.
Human rights groups call for an independent probe and public accountability.
Local government representatives may raise questions on community safety.
The Delta State Police Command staged a walkathon on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, as part of the second day of the National Police Week. The event aimed to promote public safety, community engagement, and the physical fitness of officers.
Promoting Visibility and Trust
Starting from the Delta Command Police Headquarters on Okpanam Road, participants covered a 3.2-kilometre route to the Stephen Keshi Stadium and back. The exercise involved officers from the Command and mirrored similar walkathons across all nine Area Commands in Delta State.
“The walkathon reflects our commitment to community-oriented policing,” said Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi John Oyeniyi psc, acipm, mnips. “It demonstrates that our officers are always within reach of the public and ready to ensure their safety.”
He encouraged residents to partner with the police, bring forward complaints, and support initiatives that foster peace.
Why It Matters
Community policing has been increasingly recognised as essential to reducing crime and building public trust in law enforcement. Events like the walkathon help officers maintain fitness while reassuring residents that police are accessible and responsive.
“Visible presence and engagement are key to effective policing,” said SP Bright Edafe, Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command. “We want the public to know that we are not only patrolling but actively involved in creating a safe environment for everyone.”
Community and Officer Benefits
Experts note that regular physical activities like walkathons contribute to better officer health, improved morale, and stronger relationships between the police and local communities.
A Delta resident, who took part as a spectator, said: “It’s reassuring to see officers walking among us. It makes the police feel like part of the community, not distant enforcers.”
What’s Next
The Delta State Police Command continues its week-long celebration of National Police Week with further community-oriented activities designed to reinforce public trust and enhance officer engagement.
The Lagos State Police Command has held a walkathon in Ikeja as part of activities marking the 2026 National Police Day, aimed at strengthening public trust and community engagement.
The exercise took place on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, with officers walking approximately four kilometres from the Command Headquarters in Ikeja GRA through Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way alongside personnel from the Police College Ikeja.
Senior officers, Area Commanders, and rank-and-file personnel participated in the event.
Why it matters
Police authorities say the initiative is designed to improve visibility and reassure residents of their presence in communities.
Public trust in law enforcement remains a key issue in Nigeria, with repeated calls for more community-based policing and accountability.
By taking officers out of stations and into public spaces, the Command hopes to bridge the gap between citizens and the police.
“Police are within reach”
The Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, said the exercise was a reminder that officers are accessible and committed to public safety.
“The Police are always within reach of the people,” he said, urging residents to support security efforts by reporting concerns.
“We are willing, capable, and ready to address issues professionally and promptly, as policing with humility and integrity remains our watchword.”
Community presence and operational readiness
According to the Command, the walkathon also demonstrated the physical fitness and readiness of officers to respond to security challenges.
Officials say such public-facing initiatives are part of a broader strategy to improve engagement and encourage cooperation from residents.
Industry and public perspective
Security analysts say visible policing can help reduce fear and improve confidence, especially in urban centres like Lagos.
However, they note that sustained trust depends on consistent professionalism, transparency, and accountability in daily operations.
Residents who spoke informally during the event expressed mixed views, with some welcoming the initiative while others called for more concrete reforms.
What’s next
The walkathon is one of several activities lined up for National Police Day celebrations.
Police authorities say more community-focused programmes will follow as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen relationships with the public.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (US-DEA) have renewed their commitment to intensifying joint operations against drug cartels, amid growing concerns over the link between illicit drugs and terrorism financing.
The pledge was made during a bilateral counter-narcotics workshop held in Abuja on Tuesday, where officials from both countries outlined plans to disrupt transnational criminal networks and strengthen intelligence sharing.
Why it matters
Authorities say drug trafficking is no longer just a criminal issue but a major global security threat.
NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), warned that proceeds from illicit drugs are increasingly being used to fund violent extremism.
“The proceeds from the poison sold on our streets are the same funds used to purchase the weapons that destabilize our regions. By attacking the drug trade, we are simultaneously starving the engines of terrorism.”
He described the growing link between drug trafficking and terrorism—often referred to as narco-terrorism—as a “grave threat to global peace, security, and stability.”
Nigeria’s growing role in global drug routes
Marwa said Nigeria’s strategic location has made it a target for international drug cartels, particularly as enforcement pressure rises in Latin America.
“Recent developments indicate that as enforcement pressure intensifies on drug cartels in Latin America… these criminal networks are shifting their focus and operations towards Africa, with Nigeria becoming a key transit hub.”
He added that many drugs entering Nigeria are not for local use but are destined for Europe, North America, and Asia—highlighting the country’s role in global trafficking routes.
Inside the US-Nigeria collaboration
The Abuja workshop aims to produce a 12-month joint action plan focused on intelligence sharing, coordinated enforcement, and operational alignment.
Marwa said:
“Our shared objective is to engage in frank, solution-driven discussions that will culminate in a joint declaration of shared priorities and a coordinated action plan for the next twelve months.”
He emphasised that Nigeria would lead execution within its borders, while the United States would provide support aligned with its national interests.
“This partnership is not merely symbolic—it is operational, practical, and results-oriented.”
US-DEA praises NDLEA’s progress
The US-DEA Country Attaché in Nigeria, Daphne Morrison, commended the NDLEA’s recent achievements, including increased arrests and convictions.
“The record-breaking seizures, arrests, and convictions over the past few years are a testament to his dedication and the successes of his war against drug abuse.”
She described the workshop as a critical step in strengthening collaboration between both agencies.
“This workshop is not merely a meeting—it is a declaration of our unified stand against transnational criminal organizations that seek to turn Nigeria into a drug trafficking hub.”
What’s next
Both agencies say the focus will now shift to implementation, with an emphasis on dismantling high-level drug networks and cutting off financial flows.
Morrison added:
“Our goal is to ensure that the collaboration… is proactive and geared toward results, disrupting drug financial networks, and taking down high-level targets.”
Marwa urged participants to prioritise action over discussion.
“The success of this workshop will not be measured merely by the quality of discussions, but by the effectiveness of the actions we take afterward.”
Industry and security perspective
Security analysts say deeper cooperation between Nigeria and the US could improve intelligence gathering and reduce the country’s vulnerability to transnational crime.
They note that tackling drug trafficking could also weaken extremist groups by cutting off a major source of funding.
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