Lagos Taskforce Launches Anti‑Crime Patrol Unit to Curb Rising Criminality

The Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences has officially launched a dedicated anti‑crime patrol unit to tackle escalating criminal activities, environmental offences, and street-level threats across the state. The launch took place on Wednesday at the task force’s headquarters in Bolade, Oshodi, and was led by the agency’s Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele.

The new patrol unit is designed to operate as a rapid-response team, patrolling crime hotspots 24/7 to proactively detect, deter, and neutralise criminal activities before they escalate into serious threats to public safety. According to Akerele, the unit’s mandate covers a wide spectrum of offences, including drug peddling, street urchinism, area boys activities (locally called “Omotaku”), one-chance robbery syndicates, attacks on government officials, quackery, and indiscriminate waste disposal.

“The unit will operate all out to stamp out criminal activities in the state this year. No stone will be left unturned to compel criminals to desist from their acts or relocate from Lagos State,” Akerele stated. He urged residents to support law enforcement efforts by providing timely and credible information that could aid operations.

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The initiative also comes after the Lagos State Police Command withdrew the task force from traffic enforcement, allowing it to focus entirely on security operations and law enforcement against criminality. Akerele emphasized that while traffic duties have been reassigned, the task force’s core functions remain intact, and the anti-crime patrol unit will intensify surveillance and intelligence-driven operations in known flashpoints.

Law enforcement observers note that Lagos, being Nigeria’s commercial hub, faces persistent street crime, drug offences, and environmental violations, making the launch of this unit a strategic move to reinforce public safety and protect lives and property. The task force aims to enhance Lagos State’s security architecture by deploying personnel in high-risk areas and responding swiftly to incidents reported by residents.

The state government hopes that this enhanced patrol unit will serve as a deterrent against criminality, ensuring a safer environment for both residents and businesses as the city continues to grow and urbanize.

Lagos Taskforce Launches Anti‑Crime Patrol Unit to Curb Rising Criminality

Couple Jailed 15 Years for Selling Infant, Toddler in Calabar

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Cross River State Command, has secured convictions against a husband and wife for selling their children for monetary gain in Calabar. The couple, Esther Ini Udo (32) and Eyo Stephen Udo (34), were sentenced to 15 years in prison each and fined ₦2 million, following a four-count charge for child trafficking and exploitation.

The Federal High Court, Calabar heard that Esther sold her newborn baby to a trafficker, Oluchi Judith (at large), for ₦300,000, while the couple also bought a one-year-old baby from accomplices, Blessing and Uduak, for ₦150,000 and resold the child to the same trafficker for ₦400,000. The court strongly condemned the actions, describing them as a gross violation of child rights and anti-trafficking laws.

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Both defendants initially pleaded not guilty, but the court found them guilty on all counts. Justice I. Ojukwu, presiding over the case (Suit No: FHC/CA/19C/2025), sentenced Esther and Eyo Stephen to 15-year jail terms, to run concurrently from April 1, 2026, the date of judgment.

The court also directed NAPTIP to arrest Oluchi Judith, who is wanted in connection with this and other human trafficking cases. Authorities emphasize that child trafficking remains a serious offense in Nigeria, with law enforcement intensifying efforts to dismantle networks involved in the sale and exploitation of infants and toddlers.

NAPTIP hailed the convictions as a significant victory against human trafficking, urging communities to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities involving children. Officials stressed that such harsh sentences serve as a deterrent to traffickers and perpetrators of child exploitation across the country.

Couple Jailed 15 Years for Selling Infant, Toddler in Calabar

IGP Orders Massive Security Deployment in Plateau After Deadly Jos Killings

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu has ordered a large-scale deployment of security personnel to Plateau State following deadly attacks in Jos North Local Government Area, where gunmen killed multiple residents in Angwan Rukuba over the weekend.

In a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placid, the IGP condemned the attacks, describing them as tragic and unacceptable. He extended condolences to the Plateau State Government, victims’ families, and residents, and stressed the urgent need to restore peace in the affected areas.

As part of the response, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Umar Shehu Nadada, was deployed to Plateau State to coordinate security efforts and assess the situation firsthand. The IGP also directed all operational commanders to ensure visible policing and actively engage with vulnerable communities.

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The deployment includes Police Mobile Force units, tactical teams, and intelligence operatives, working alongside other security agencies to restore order, prevent further violence, and apprehend perpetrators. Authorities have warned residents to remain calm, cooperate with security personnel, and report suspicious activities, discouraging any vigilante actions.

Following the attacks, the Plateau State Government imposed a 48-hour curfew in parts of Jos North to contain unrest and enable security operations. Although partially relaxed to daytime hours, tensions remain as authorities continue to monitor the situation.

President Bola Tinubu postponed a scheduled trip to Ogun State to visit Jos, offering condolences and emphasizing the federal government’s commitment to supporting security measures. Meanwhile, the Senate has directed the IGP to conduct a thorough investigation, stressing the importance of justice and stability in the state.

Efforts to identify and arrest the attackers are ongoing, with law enforcement initiating a manhunt for suspects and making arrests in connection with the killings. Security agencies continue to work to restore calm and ensure the safety of Plateau residents.

IGP Orders Massive Security Deployment in Plateau After Deadly Jos Killings