The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Tijani, has endorsed the Youth Anti-Crime Advocacy Campaign jointly organised by the Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU) and Eagles Crime Awareness and Prevention Initiatives (ECAPI), describing the initiative as a timely step towards preventing crime, promoting police accountability and strengthening public trust in law enforcement.
The campaign, led by ECAPI’s Samuel Eniola Adams, features roadshows, public announcements and the distribution of educational materials across key locations in Lagos State. The activities are designed to raise awareness about crime prevention and educate residents on how to report complaints against police officers.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony held on Friday at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in Ikeja, Deputy Commissioner of Police Anthony Placid, who represented Tijani, said the initiative would strengthen cooperation, intelligence sharing and relations between the police and local communities.
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Placid commended the leadership of the CRU and ECAPI for organising the campaign, noting that collaboration was essential to addressing security challenges and reducing tensions within communities.
He said the partnership would promote unity, improve intelligence sharing and encourage stronger engagement between security agencies and residents.
Representing the commissioner, Placid also expressed the command’s appreciation to the organisers and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the initiative.
Campaign Targets Police Misconduct, Crime Prevention
The National Coordinator of the CRU-ECAPI Advocacy Campaign, Samuel Eniola Adams, said the programme was designed to sensitise Nigerians to issues such as police brutality, extortion and the principle that bail is free.
According to him, the campaign would also reinforce the Inspector-General of Police’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption and impunity, warning that officers who violate police directives would face appropriate sanctions.
Adams said the initiative would take its message directly to communities, including local government areas, markets, motor parks, police stations and barracks.
“Our mandate is to take the message directly to the grassroots, including local government areas, markets, motor parks, police stations, barracks and everywhere,” he said.
He expressed concern that many young people were unaware that certain actions constituted criminal offences and could attract legal consequences.
Adams explained that traditional media platforms, including radio, television and newspapers, did not always reach young people effectively, making direct community engagement necessary.
“We have to take the message directly to them. We must stop crime totally. Advocacy is our calling at ECAPI,” he said.
Police Reaffirm Commitment to Accountability
Also speaking at the event, Superintendent of Police Awuf Fidelis, head of the Complaint Response Unit at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, described the partnership as an important step towards rebuilding public confidence in the police.
Fidelis said the initiative was intended to strengthen accountability, improve cooperation and deepen trust between the police and members of the public.
“The police want to build more trust with the public. That is why we have partnered with ECAPI for this advocacy. Trust between the police and the public is growing, and we want more,” he said.
He reiterated that bail was free and noted that the Inspector-General of Police had emphasised that both individuals who give and receive bribes could face prosecution.
“Nobody is expected to pay a dime for bail after arrest,” Fidelis stated.
The CRU official added that the police had intensified efforts to prosecute officers found guilty of misconduct and other abuses. He urged residents to report cases of unprofessional conduct rather than remain silent.
According to Fidelis, the Complaint Response Unit receives petitions and complaints against police officers and acts on reported cases of misconduct. He added that the unit’s activities had encouraged more members of the public to come forward with complaints.
He urged Nigerians to support ongoing efforts to improve policing by reporting misconduct through the CRU’s designated telephone numbers, petition channels and WhatsApp platform.
The campaign is expected to strengthen grassroots awareness of crime prevention, promote responsible conduct among young people and encourage residents to work with law enforcement agencies to build safer communities across Lagos State.
