The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, CP Olorundare Jimoh, has said that the command’s response time to crimes such as robbery and public order violations has been reduced to just five minutes.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, Jimoh stated, “Our response time to crime is now less than 10 minutes. We have even brought it down to five minutes. Once we receive a call, we are there within five minutes.”

He assured residents of Lagos that the state remains safe and secure, adding that proactive policing has helped prevent many violent crimes before they occur.

“In most cases, we reach criminal elements before they can cause harm. And for crimes that do occur, our detection is swift, serving as a deterrent to others,” he said.

Jimoh noted that the Lagos Police Command has significantly curtailed violent crimes and successfully eliminated traffic robbery within the state.

On State Police and Security Funding

Commenting on the broader issue of security in Nigeria, CP Jimoh expressed reservations about the push for state police, insisting that adequate funding of the Nigeria Police Force is a more effective solution.

“State police is not the answer to our security challenges,” he asserted. “The real issue is proper funding, which the Federal Government is already addressing. Many advocates for state policing overlook the fact that unitary policing works effectively in other parts of the world.”

He also highlighted improvements in police conduct, saying that officers have become more professional and responsive over time.

On the Upcoming Local Government Elections

Regarding the July 12, 2025, local government elections in Lagos, CP Jimoh said the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) would determine whether a restriction of movement would be enforced.

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“Any restriction will be based on the electoral body’s directive. However, if there’s a credible threat to the election, we may enforce a limited restriction—not a total lockdown. We are prepared to deploy enough personnel to ensure a smooth and peaceful election,” he stated.

The Lagos State House of Assembly has summoned five major ride-hailing companies—Uber, Bolt, Indrive, Rida, and LagRide—to appear at a public hearing in response to a formal petition by app-based drivers alleging exploitative practices, unsafe operations, and widespread labour rights violations.

The disclosure was made in a statement issued on Monday by the Lagos Chapter Public Relations Officer of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), Mr. Steven Iwindoye.

According to the union’s Lagos Chairman, Mr. Azeez Jaiyesimi, the hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, June 17, 2025. “The Lagos State House of Assembly has invited the five companies to address rising concerns in the e-hailing sector and work toward establishing a more transparent, fair, and accountable framework within Nigeria’s gig economy,” Jaiyesimi stated.

Details of the Petition

AUATON filed a petition titled:
“Public Petition Against Uber, Bolt, Indrive, Rida, and LagRide for Non-Compliance with the National Collective Agreement and Corporate Negligence Resulting in the Victimisation of App-Based Transport Workers in Nigeria.”

The union accuses the companies of regulatory non-compliance, exploitative labour conditions, and persistent neglect that threaten the welfare and safety of thousands of Lagos-based drivers.

Key Grievances Highlighted

The petition outlines several pressing concerns:

• Lack of Passenger Profiling and weak driver protection systems

• Unilateral Fare Adjustments without consultation with drivers

• Absence of Emergency and Welfare Support mechanisms

• Exploitative Commission Models that diminish drivers’ earnings

• Suppression of Union Activities and refusal to honour collective bargaining agreements

Context and Broader Concerns

AUATON has been a leading voice advocating for a unified federal regulatory framework for Nigeria’s ride-hailing industry. The union argues that fragmented state regulations—currently in place across 26 states—lead to multiple taxation, poor working conditions, and heightened driver insecurity.

Earlier in 2024, AUATON pushed for national legislation to protect drivers, citing increasing reports of kidnapping, violence, and app-related exploitation. They also expressed dissatisfaction with the Lagos State-backed LagRide service, citing limited trip availability in suburban areas like Ikorodu and Epe, along with missing features such as real-time earnings tracking and effective insurance coverage.

The union also raised concerns about LagRide’s compliance with Nigeria’s data protection laws, calling for urgent reforms to safeguard driver rights and improve service efficiency.

The Lagos State Government has issued a fresh warning to residents, particularly those living in low-lying areas and communities near rivers and lagoons, to remain alert as more heavy rainfall is expected to trigger flash floods in the coming days.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this known in a statement on Saturday, citing geostationary satellite imagery and recent weather forecasts indicating widespread convective rainfall, dense cloud cover, and thunderstorm activity across the state.

“These weather patterns show that Lagos is likely to experience intense rainfall and flash floods, especially in areas adjacent to rivers and lagoons. These floods may come with strong currents,” Wahab said.

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Safety Precautions

He advised residents to stay indoors during periods of heavy downpour unless movement is absolutely necessary, stressing the need to assess weather conditions before venturing out.

Parents and guardians were urged to keep a close eye on their children—especially those currently on mid-term break—warning against playing in the rain or swimming in floodwaters.

“Parents should monitor their wards closely to ensure they don’t go outside during the rain or attempt to wade through floodwaters,” Wahab stated.

He also cautioned motorists and pedestrians against moving through flooded roads, noting that such actions could result in vehicles being swept away or lives lost due to the strength of flood currents.

Lagos Flood Risk and Drainage Efforts

Wahab reminded residents that, as a coastal state, Lagos is vulnerable to rising lagoon water levels during intense rainfall. This often leads to tidal lock—a phenomenon that prevents drainage systems from discharging runoff, worsening flood conditions.

He further appealed to residents to stop indiscriminate refuse dumping into drains, which exacerbates flooding by blocking the natural flow of water.

“Our drains are being cleaned and maintained all year round to manage runoff. But this effort must be complemented by responsible waste disposal from the public,” he said.

National Context

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has also issued similar flood warnings for Akwa Ibom and 13 other states, highlighting a high risk of flash floods due to intensifying rainfall and poor drainage systems.

Other affected states include Sokoto, Zamfara, Plateau, Yobe, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Abia, Nasarawa, Benue, Ogun, Ekiti, Delta, and Rivers.

NiMet noted that several communities across Nigeria have already experienced localized flooding, especially in urban centers and riverine settlements where drainage systems are overwhelmed.