Only One Bank Robbery Succeeded in Lagos Since 2007 – IGP Egbetokun

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has asserted that Lagos State has effectively eradicated armed robbery and bank robberies, with only one successful bank robbery recorded since 2007.

Speaking at the 18th Annual Town Hall Meeting on Security organized by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) on Thursday, Egbetokun attributed the success to sustained collaboration between the Lagos State Government and the police.

“There was a time when armed robbery and bank robbery were rampant in Lagos. But since 2007, only one bank robbery succeeded, and that was in 2014. Those days are long gone,” he stated.

Egbetokun lauded the state government’s support, noting that without it, security challenges in Lagos could have overwhelmed the police.

Acknowledging Lagos State's position as Nigeria's economic hub, Egbetokun highlighted the challenges posed by internal migration, with thousands of people moving to Lagos daily. He stressed the need for the police to continually adapt their strategies to maintain the state’s security.

“This influx has implications for security, and we must strengthen our strategies to meet these challenges head-on,” he said.

At the event, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu boosted the police force by donating over 250 brand-new patrol vehicles, advanced hardware, communication gadgets, and protective gear.

Sanwo-Olu emphasized his administration’s focus on integrating technology and data into security operations.

“The EGIS component of our mapping and digitalization is almost complete. Lagos is now properly mapped, and drone technology will be deployed to monitor waterways and densely populated areas,” the governor explained.

He added that the use of drones would enhance crowd management, traffic monitoring, and real-time assessments, enabling rapid responses to incidents.