The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Moshood Jimoh, has made a bold claim that will interest every Lagosian who has ever feared for their safety in traffic: traffic robbery in Lagos is now virtually non-existent.
Speaking in a recent interview with The Cable, the police boss attributed this achievement to the strategic deployment of unmarked patrol vehicles across the state.
How Unmarked Vehicles Are Changing the Game
CP Jimoh explained that while the Lagos State Police Command still maintains traditional patrol vehicles painted in official police colors and properly branded with station names and identification numbers, the introduction of unmarked vehicles has revolutionized their crime-fighting approach.
“You know we have the traditional patrol vehicles marked in proper police colors except the ones used for logistic reasons. You will see the name of the police station, the numbers of the vehicles, apart from the plate number, the patrol signal number will equally be there,” Jimoh stated.
However, he pointed out a major challenge with these marked vehicles: criminals can spot them from afar and simply disappear until the coast is clear.
The Tactical Advantage
The CP painted a vivid picture of how the strategy works: “For example, on the streets of Ikeja, if there are criminal elements there, the moment the patrol vehicle branded in police color with revolving light comes, they will go into hiding and once they leave, they will come out again.”
This is where unmarked vehicles come in as game-changers. According to Jimoh, these vehicles allow police operatives to approach crime scenes without alerting criminals, making it easier to apprehend suspects and prevent crimes before they happen.
Undercover Operations Catching Criminals Red-Handed
The Commissioner revealed an interesting tactic his men have been using: “Even for those who attack people whose vehicles break down on the road, we go in unmarked vehicles and we present ourselves as if our vehicles have broken down on the road and before you know it, once they come out, we get them arrested.”
This undercover approach has proven highly effective in nabbing criminals who prey on stranded motorists—a common occurrence on Lagos roads.
“Traffic Robbery Has Gone to Zero”
CP Jimoh didn’t mince words in his assessment: “Many people will attest to it that traffic robbery has gone to zero in Lagos. It is because of these unmarked vehicles.”
While this claim may sound ambitious to some Lagosians who still exercise caution in traffic, the Commissioner insists the data supports his statement, crediting the tactical deployment of unmarked patrol vehicles as the key factor.
What This Means for Lagos Residents
For the millions of people who navigate Lagos traffic daily, this news offers a glimmer of hope. Traffic robbery has long been a major security concern, particularly during early morning and late evening hours, and on less-traveled routes.
If the police chief’s claims hold true, it represents a significant improvement in public safety and could restore confidence in commuting across the state.
The use of unmarked vehicles demonstrates a shift toward more strategic, intelligence-led policing rather than just visible presence—a development many security experts have long advocated for.
Watch CP Moshood Jimoh explain the strategy in the video below:
[Video shows the Commissioner of Police discussing the unmarked vehicle strategy during his interview with The Cable]
What do you think about this development? Have you noticed a reduction in traffic robbery incidents in Lagos? Share your experiences in the comments below.
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