Segun Atanda/
The increased visibility of police officers across Lagos has significantly curbed drug peddling and gang violence, making the state’s streets safer, according to a recent survey by Creative Chambers, a Lagos-based youth development organization.
In its 2025 Urban Crime Survey, the group highlighted that the strategic deployment of police personnel, directed by IGP Kayode Egbetokun and implemented by CP Olanrewaju Ishola, has reduced open drug-related activities, reinforcing the crime-fighting efforts of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the IGP in their aggressive campaign against drug abuse and trafficking.
Creative Chambers observed that key factors contributing to urban crime include drug abuse, domestic violence, declining property values, underground economies, family disruptions, and limited economic opportunities. The organization emphasized that addressing these challenges, particularly among unemployed and unsupervised youth, is crucial to long-term crime reduction.
The group also urged the government to implement stricter penalties for drug offenders, arguing that drugs and violent crime are deeply intertwined. It noted that drug addiction often undermines an individual’s ability to secure employment, increasing their likelihood of engaging in criminal activities—many of which escalate into violence. Furthermore, the illicit drug trade operates outside legal frameworks, often leading to disputes that result in deadly confrontations.
Commending CP Ishola for his firm stance on crime, Creative Chambers praised the increasing adoption of community policing, where officers are now more visible in neighborhoods, engaging directly with residents. This approach, the group stated, fosters trust and enhances security.
According to the survey, 65% of Lagos residents reported feeling safer due to this increased police presence, while businesses in previously crime-prone areas have seen a 20% rise in activity due to improved security.
The organization concluded that while law enforcement plays a crucial role in crime reduction, lasting solutions will come from expanding economic and social opportunities for families and young people.
