The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has charged the 42nd Commissioner of Police (CP) in Lagos State, Jimoh Tijani, to uphold integrity and professionalism in the discharge of his duties, warning that the outcome of police service depends largely on the officer’s conduct.
Speaking at his Iga Idunganran Palace during a courtesy visit by the police chief, the monarch described policing as a noble profession that rewards honesty and sincerity of purpose but also carries consequences when abused.
“The police job is one that, if you do it with honesty and sincerity of purpose, you will end well. If you do it the other way, the reward is also there,” Oba Akiolu said.
Recalling his own experience as a former police officer, the Oba advised the commissioner and his team to remain ethical and avoid acts capable of tarnishing the image of the Nigeria Police Force.
While acknowledging public criticism of the institution, he maintained that many officers still uphold honour and integrity.
“Be close to God, do not listen to gossip, and let your conscience be clear,” he added.
The monarch stressed the importance of continuous training and retraining of officers, particularly in addressing concerns around police brutality and harassment of civilians. He noted that sustained human capital development is essential to building a disciplined and people-focused police force.
Oba Akiolu also expressed optimism that CP Tijani’s experience would translate into effective community policing, urging him to strengthen engagement with residents and maintain professionalism in operations. He assured the commissioner of the palace’s support in promoting peace and security across Lagos.
Earlier, CP Tijani said his visit was in recognition of tradition and the need to seek royal blessings. He described the Oba as both a father figure and a respected voice in public service.
“I have come as a son to seek the blessings of my father,” he said. “Wherever we are posted, it is important to pay homage to the custodians of the land.”
The commissioner, who has previously served in Lagos, expressed confidence in leveraging his familiarity with the state to enhance security and deepen collaboration with stakeholders.
In a related development, the Lagos Zonal Director of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Bawa Usman Kaltungo, also visited the palace, where the traditional ruler harped on professionalism and ethical conduct as a way to sustain the integrity of the Commission.
Bala Usman, while reiterating the agency’s commitment to strengthening the fight against corruption. He said the commission is not only determined to sustain its current momentum but to improve on it, stressing that the anti-corruption fight requires collective responsibility.
“We do not intend to maintain the tempo; we intend to improve on it. As our chairman always says, we must strive to do our best and ensure we do the right thing. Corruption is for all of us; it is not only for the EFCC,” he said.
He assured that the commission is making significant inroads and that Nigerians would see tangible results in its operations.
On public cooperation, the EFCC director emphasised the importance of credible information from citizens, assuring that informants are fully protected.
“The EFCC is one of the best places you can come to give information, and you are assured it will be highly confidential. We do not disclose our informants. If we do, people will not come forward with information,” he said.
He added that the agency maintains strict confidentiality protocols, noting that even within investigative teams, the identity of informants is often restricted to ensure maximum protection.
The visits underscore growing collaboration between traditional institutions and security agencies in reinforcing ethical standards, accountability, and community trust in governance and law enforcement.
