Council Boss, Residents Applaud Police For Combating Crimes in Ikotun-Igando, Urge Sustenance
Residents, community leaders and the council authority in the Ikotun–Igando axis of Lagos State have commended the Nigeria Police for what they described as sustained and effective crime-fighting efforts under the leadership of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ikotun, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Oni Waheed, and the Commander of the Police Tactical Unit, Ijegun, CSP Akinola Aduroja.
Ikotun and Igando are among the most densely populated communities in Lagos, home to millions of residents and a large youth population.
The area has, over the years, been prone to crimes such as cultism, drug abuse and other illicit activities, often fuelled by youth restiveness and population pressure.
These realities have occasionally triggered public concerns, including a recent opinion shared on social media by one Sheriffdeen Ojon Omo Eko, who expressed fears over suspected criminal activities in the area.
However, residents who live and work within the communities say the narrative on the ground reflects significant improvement in safety and security, attributing the progress to the strategic leadership, visibility and professionalism of the police under CSPs Oni and Aduroja.
According to community members, criminal elements are “feeling the heat” from sustained police operations and intelligence-led patrols, forcing many to flee the area. They appealed to the police leadership to maintain and even intensify the current momentum to ensure that crime remains at minimal levels.
Many residents acknowledged the high concentration of young men and women in Ikotun and Igando and the attendant risks of criminal tendencies, but they praised the police for decisively reining in recalcitrant elements while working closely with law-abiding youths and community stakeholders.
Reports from the area also align with residents’ accounts of improved security presence and effectiveness. Community leaders noted that there is crime but the police have consistently combated them, including cultism, drug abuse and other violent crimes, assuring residents that criminal gangs do not have free space to operate.
“A notable example occurred just recently on 21 December 2025, when the Ijegun Tactical Team led by CSP Akinola Aduroja Olurotimi, in a joint operation with the Ikotun Division under CSP Oni Waheed, raided Five Point Hotel & Suites along Igando Road at about 10:45 pm. Acting on credible intelligence provided by residents, the operatives arrested three suspected members of a cult syndicate, ” a source said.
The suspects were promptly transferred to the Task Force Unit on Monday for further investigation and prosecution in line with the rule of law.
Residents described the operation as one of several successful interventions carried out by the police in recent times.
They recalled previous achievements by both officers, including the arrest and prosecution of suspected cultists, recovery of firearms and ammunition, and the disruption of drug distribution networks.
Some suspects apprehended in earlier operations have reportedly been convicted and are currently serving prison terms.
As recently as last week, the Ikotun Division arrested several hoodlums for disturbing public peace and transferred them to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, for further action.
Community members say these actions represent the true security reality in Ikotun and Igando, stressing that the area should not be defined by the activities of a few stubborn criminals who are steadily being flushed out by the police.
A business centre operator on the popular Governor’s Road who identified himself as Kayode Obadina hailed the collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the community which is enhancing public safety across Alimosho, particularly within the Ikotun–Igando corridor.
“The police authorities around the area have been collaborating with the community and I believe that has helped a lot especially in the Ikotun-Igando axis.
“There are many young boys in this area and they often commit crimes but the police presence and operations have kept them in check.”
The Chairman of Ikotun/Igando Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Senior Comrade Lasisi Ayinde Akinsanya, alongside other stakeholders, commended police authorities in the area for their efforts in maintaining security.
He also called for sustained and intensified surveillance and operations to consolidate the gains recorded so far.
“The safety of lives and property remains a top priority of this administration, and achieving this requires effective policing, accountability and strong collaboration between security agencies and the community,” he said.
While acknowledging lingering concerns about cultism and drug abuse among some youths, the chairman noted that recent police actions, including the busting of criminal hideouts and the arrest of cultists and drug peddlers, demonstrate renewed commitment to tackling the challenges head-on.
He urged law-abiding residents to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information, adding that security is a collective responsibility. “When institutions function effectively, communities thrive,” he said.
Residents, meanwhile, remain optimistic that with the continued leadership of CSP Oni Waheed and CSP Akinola Aduroja, Ikotun and Igando will remain increasingly hostile to criminal elements, while peaceful residents enjoy improved safety and confidence in policing.
