Crime Combating: Police Install CCTV Control Centre on Lagos Island, Third Mainland Bridge, Waterways
By Raheem Ibrahim
In efforts to effectively monitor Lagos Island, the Third Mainland Bridge, and adjoining waterways, the Lagos State Police Command has taken a decisive step toward technology-driven crime prevention with the activation of a CCTV Surveillance and Control Centre designed to provide round-the-clock monitoring.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Lagos Command, SP Abimbola Adebisi, revealed that the facility was activated on 14 January 2026 under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, marking what she described as a major boost to proactive and intelligence-led policing in the state.
According to the PPRO, the Surveillance Centre, which also doubles as Control Room 5, was built and fully equipped by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Ministry of Works, under the supervision of the Minister, Engr. Dave Umahi, reflecting growing inter-agency collaboration in strengthening internal security infrastructure.
She disclosed that the CCTV Surveillance Centre provides real-time monitoring of the Third Mainland Bridge, surrounding waterways, and key locations within the Island axis, stressing that the goal is to proactively prevent crime rather than merely respond after the fact.
Adebisi noted that the strategic positioning of the facility allows the Command to monitor one of the most critical transport and commercial corridors in Lagos, an area that security experts regard as vital to economic stability and public safety.
In further reinforcement of the Command’s operational capacity, Adebisi disclosed that two operational vehicles were handed over to the Lagos State Police Command on 16 January 2026 to support rapid response and patrol activities linked to intelligence generated from the Centre.
She added, “The Centre operates 24 hours a day, with well-trained officers manning the systems to ensure swift, intelligence-led responses to incidents as they unfold,” adding that the combination of surveillance technology and mobility assets significantly reduces response time.
However, security analysts reasoned that the activation of the Centre signals a shift toward data-driven policing in Lagos, where visual intelligence can be used to track suspicious movements, manage emergencies, and coordinate field units more effectively, especially in traffic-congested and waterfront areas.
Adebisi emphasised that the initiative aligns with the vision of CP Jimoh to deploy modern policing tools in safeguarding lives and property.
She said the Command is determined to leverage technology to stay ahead of criminal tactics.
“The Lagos State Police Command remains committed to harnessing technology to enhance public safety and protect critical infrastructure,” the police spokesperson said.
She also called on residents to see the initiative as a shared security responsibility. “Members of the public are urged to stay vigilant and partner with the police by promptly reporting suspicious activities through the Command’s emergency lines,” Adebisi appealed.
“The activation of the CCTV Surveillance Centre underscores the Command’s resolve to blend human intelligence with technology, reinforcing public confidence and strengthening security across Lagos Island and its environs,” she remarked.
