The Lagos State Police Command and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, have discussed ways to strengthen inter-agency cooperation in tackling smuggling, crime and other security threats in Lagos State.

The discussions took place during a courtesy visit by the Acting Comptroller of FOU Zone A, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Olukayode Afeni, and his team to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja.

According to information released about the visit, the meeting provided an opportunity for both agencies to explore areas of collaboration in law enforcement and security operations.

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Focus on smuggling, security cooperation

The two agencies identified the need to strengthen their existing relationship and explore opportunities for more effective cooperation against smuggling and other forms of criminality.

The engagement also focused on promoting security and law enforcement across Lagos State, although details of specific joint operations, implementation plans or timelines were not disclosed.

What the collaboration could mean

Cooperation between the police and customs authorities could support efforts to address crimes that involve the movement of prohibited or restricted goods, alongside other offences requiring coordination between law enforcement agencies.

However, the outcome of the meeting will depend on the specific measures adopted by both agencies and how any agreed plans are implemented.

Neither agency provided further details in the information released about the visit.

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has called for the institutionalisation of state police, saying the late former governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s campaign for decentralised security continues to influence Nigeria’s constitutional and national policy debates.

Aiyedatiwa made the call at a colloquium in Ibadan on Thursday, October 8, to mark Akeredolu’s 70th posthumous birthday, where governors and other stakeholders discussed how state policing could improve security and strengthen governance.

The event, themed “Fundamentals and Governance of State Policing: Towards a New Architecture for National Security in Nigeria”, brought renewed attention to the question of whether Nigeria’s centralised policing system can adequately address security threats across its diverse communities.

Aiyedatiwa said Akeredolu’s advocacy had moved beyond regional discussions and become part of the national conversation on constitutional reform.

Amotekun’s experience fuels state police argument

Aiyedatiwa cited the establishment of the South-West Security Network, known as Amotekun, as an example of regional efforts to respond to security challenges through local knowledge and community participation.

He said Akeredolu and other South-West governors established the outfit when insecurity exposed the limitations of the existing security arrangements.

The Ondo governor also pointed to a recent operation involving Amotekun, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army and other security agencies against suspected terrorists in the state’s forests.

According to Aiyedatiwa, the operation demonstrated the value of coordination between local security outfits and federal agencies. He said the development reinforced the argument for a policing structure that understands local terrain and can respond to threats within communities.

However, the account of the operation and the identification of the suspects as Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) operatives were presented by the governor; independent confirmation was not provided in the statement announcing the colloquium.

Aiyedatiwa said any state policing framework must be designed around public trust, professional standards, credible recruitment and thorough vetting, rather than simply creating additional police institutions.

The proposal, he argued, should produce a security system that is responsive, accountable and proactive.

Abiodun cites police manpower shortfall

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, who delivered the keynote address, said Nigeria needed an additional 554,353 police personnel to meet the United Nations-recommended police-to-population ratio.

He argued that the discussion about state police should move beyond commemorating Akeredolu to addressing the practical reforms required to make decentralised policing effective and sustainable.

Abiodun, who chairs the Nigeria Governors’ Forum committee on state police, said Akeredolu’s security advocacy was connected to a broader vision of regional development.

He also referenced the South-West Development Commission, arguing that security and economic prosperity were closely linked.

“A secure region is a prosperous region,” Abiodun said.

He described Amotekun as an example of how community intelligence and rapid response could contribute to regional security.

Abiodun also said support for decentralised policing had expanded across the country’s six geopolitical zones, reflecting growing recognition among political stakeholders that security arrangements needed to respond more effectively to local conditions.

The personnel figure cited by Abiodun was not accompanied by a detailed calculation in the press statement.

What state police reform would need to address

The debate over state police extends beyond the number of officers available to protect communities. It also raises questions about recruitment, funding, training, accountability and the relationship between state-controlled forces and federal security agencies.

Aiyedatiwa said the proposed system must be built around safeguards that make police institutions worthy of public confidence.

Such considerations are central to the policy debate because a decentralised structure would need to balance local responsiveness with professional standards and protections against political interference.

The governors’ remarks at the colloquium reflected support for reform, but the statement did not provide a detailed implementation timetable, funding model or proposed framework for resolving potential disputes between state and federal police authorities.

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Fayemi recalls Akeredolu’s political convictions

Former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi described Akeredolu as a defender of vulnerable people and a public figure who was willing to challenge those in power.

Fayemi recalled Akeredolu’s involvement in the Southern Governors’ Forum and his support for rotating the presidency to the South, even when political party interests complicated the debate.

He also spoke about Akeredolu’s personal side, recalling his participation in choir activities, his appearance at a Kegite gathering and his enjoyment of music by Fela and Femi Kuti, including “Water No Get Enemy”, as well as Orlando Owo.

Fayemi said Akeredolu’s political outlook was centred on the common good and improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

Sanwo-Olu, Oyebanji urge leaders to sustain his legacy

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the state’s Secretary to the Government, Salu Hundeyin, described Akeredolu as a courageous advocate for the South-West’s interests, dignity and security.

Sanwo-Olu said Akeredolu treated leadership as a responsibility rather than a privilege and urged Nigerians to draw lessons from his convictions.

“Aketi may no longer be with us, but his example remains. His voice may have fallen, but the cause for which he stood continues to speak,” he said.

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, represented by Secretary to the State Government Habibat Omolara Adubiaro, also credited Akeredolu and other South-West governors with working across party lines to establish Amotekun despite opposition to the initiative.

Oyebanji urged South-West governors to deepen regional cooperation and called on the South-West Development Commission to pursue major projects capable of transforming the region.

The Director-General of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, Seye Oyeleye, said Nigeria could no longer rely exclusively on a police force controlled from Abuja.

He argued that Amotekun had demonstrated the potential role of state and regional security structures in addressing local challenges.

Akeredolu’s family recalls his activism

Akeredolu’s eldest son, Oluwarotimi O. Akeredolu Jr, described his father as an advocate for justice, human rights, political freedom and accountable government.

He recalled his father’s student activism, legal career, participation in the June 12 democratic struggle, involvement in the 2012 fuel-price protest and campaign against insecurity.

Aiyedatiwa, meanwhile, pledged to continue projects initiated by his predecessor, particularly road projects discussed during executive council meetings.

He said Akeredolu had worked with the expectation that his successor would complete projects left unfinished during his administration.

The governor said preserving Akeredolu’s legacy required more than ceremonies and monuments, arguing that the former governor’s ideals should contribute to a safer, more just and more responsive Nigeria.

The event was attended by Ondo State First Lady Esther Aiyedatiwa, Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly Olamide Oladiji, Secretary to the State Government Taiwo Fasoranti, political leaders, serving and former members of the state executive council and other dignitaries.

Students at Gateway (ICT) Polytechnic, Saapade, Ogun State, are set to discuss campus security, welfare, academic development and leadership at a student-led conference aimed at preparing young people for life beyond the classroom.

The SWAT 1.0 Students’ Conference, organised by the institution’s Students’ Union Government (SUG), is scheduled for Friday, 9 October 2026, at the Leadership Auditorium.

The conference is themed “Preparing Students for a Purposeful Future While Navigating Campus with Excellence.”

The Ogun State Police Command has endorsed the initiative, particularly its focus on security awareness and constructive engagement between students and law enforcement.

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Why the conference matters

Unlike programmes focused solely on academic performance, the SWAT conference brings together five areas of student development — Security, Welfare, Academics, Training and Seminar.

Organisers say the objective is to give students practical guidance, leadership skills and positive values that can help them navigate campus life while preparing for their future careers and responsibilities.

For tertiary institutions, the relationship between students and security agencies can be an important part of maintaining a peaceful learning environment.

The conference therefore provides an opportunity for students to engage with security authorities beyond enforcement, including discussions around responsible conduct, peaceful coexistence and security consciousness.

Police back student-led security dialogue

The Ogun State Police Command said it supports programmes that promote constructive Police-Student relations and safer academic environments.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, 7 October, the Command commended the SUG President and host/convener, Comr. Akinpelu B. Timothy, and his executive team for organising the conference.

The Command said its participation reflects its commitment to supporting student-centred initiatives that encourage peaceful coexistence and responsible behaviour.

Beyond security: what students stand to gain

The organisers’ SWAT framework extends beyond policing.

The inclusion of welfare and academics alongside training and seminars means the conference is designed to address some of the wider issues students encounter during their time in higher education.

Leadership development is also central to the initiative, with student organisers seeking to encourage participants to take greater responsibility for their conduct, relationships and future plans.

This could make the event particularly relevant to students preparing to transition from campus into workplaces and wider society.

A different conversation about campus safety

The police endorsement also places student-police engagement at the centre of a conversation that is often dominated by incidents after they occur.

By creating a platform for dialogue before problems arise, initiatives such as the SWAT conference can help students better understand security responsibilities while giving authorities an opportunity to engage directly with young people in an academic setting.

However, the long-term value of such programmes will depend on whether conversations translate into sustained engagement and practical improvements in campus safety.

What happens next

The SWAT 1.0 Students’ Conference will hold from 9:00 a.m. on Friday, 9 October 2026, at the Leadership Auditorium of Gateway (ICT) Polytechnic, Saapade.

The Ogun State Police Command said it would continue to support initiatives that contribute to safe, peaceful and conducive learning environments across tertiary institutions in the state.