By Deborah Nnamdi
The South-West Coordinating Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, has assured Nigerians that security agencies are working tirelessly to secure the release of abducted schoolchildren and their teachers in Oyo State, expressing confidence that the victims will soon regain their freedom.
Fayoade gave the assurance on Monday during an official working visit to the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja, where he also outlined ongoing efforts to strengthen policing through improved manpower, enhanced welfare packages, intelligence-led operations, and technology-driven crime-fighting strategies.
Addressing concerns over the abduction, the DIG said all relevant security agencies and government authorities were focused on rescuing the victims and not on issues relating to ransom demands.
“The update is that all agencies, including government, are working very hard. I can assure you that within the shortest possible time, the children and their teachers will be free,” he said.
He dismissed reports suggesting that the abductors had shifted their demands from the release of certain leaders to ransom payments and the release of foot soldiers, insisting that the police were concentrating solely on securing the victims’ freedom.
“We don’t know anything about ransom because we don’t talk about ransom. All efforts are directed towards getting the abductees free from captivity,” he stated.
Fayoade explained that his visit to Lagos was part of efforts to strengthen supervision across police formations in the South-West and engage officers on strategies for addressing evolving security challenges.
He disclosed that discussions with officers focused on manpower shortages, personnel welfare, and operational logistics, noting that the recruitment of 40,000 police personnel was already underway to boost the Force’s capacity.
The DIG reiterated that officers’ welfare remained a top priority for the Inspector-General of Police, whose vision, he said, was to motivate personnel through improved welfare packages and the provision of necessary operational tools.
He also revealed that the Force was investing heavily in technology, including the completion of a data centre at the Force Headquarters that would enable security agencies to access information on individuals with criminal records and improve resource deployment.
According to him, the police are also preparing to deploy Artificial Intelligence in investigations and intelligence gathering, with officers expected to undergo specialised training in the emerging technology.
Fayoade noted that many recent breakthroughs recorded by police formations across the country were the result of sustained investments in technical training and intelligence-led policing, adding that efforts would be made to better publicise operational successes.
“I have instructed the Commissioner of Police to ensure that every achievement is reported so members of the public can see the efforts being made,” he said.
The DIG further stressed the importance of mutual respect between police officers and members of the public, assuring citizens that officers would continue to perform their duties professionally while respecting human rights and dignity.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Tijani Fatai, described the visit as a homecoming and commended Fayoade’s leadership and support for the command.
Fatai disclosed that the Lagos State Police Command had expanded significantly since its establishment in 1967 and now operates 14 Area Commands, 117 divisions, 74 police posts, and a workforce of 25,096 personnel.
He attributed the decline in major crimes across the state to intelligence-driven operations, modern policing techniques, and support from the police hierarchy, the Lagos State Government, and other stakeholders.
Presenting the command’s operational scorecard since assuming office on March 26, 2026, Fatai said police foiled 28 armed robbery incidents and arrested 71 robbery suspects and 133 cultism suspects.
He added that 44 murder cases were reported within the period, leading to the arrest of 35 suspects, while four traffic robbery suspects were apprehended and charged in court.
The commissioner further revealed that officers recovered 60 firearms and 625 rounds of ammunition, impounded 122 vehicles for driving against traffic, and seized 1,580 motorcycles for various traffic violations, including the illegal use of Bus Rapid Transit corridors.
Despite the achievements, Fatai said the command suffered casualties in the line of duty, with seven officers losing their lives and 300 others sustaining injuries while carrying out their responsibilities.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining its crime-fighting efforts and maintaining Lagos as one of the safest states in the country.
“By the grace of God, the Lagos State Police Command remains at the forefront of crime prevention and control. Our officers and men are more determined than ever to sustain the momentum and keep the flag flying,” he said.
