The Lagos State Police Command has entered into a strategic partnership with the Eagle Crime Awareness & Prevention Initiative (ECAPI), to roll out the “Police Is Your Friend” Youth Anti-Crime Advocacy Campaign across the state as part of a broader national initiative by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Rilwan Disu psc(+), NPM, to reposition the Nigeria Police Force and restore public confidence in policing.
Announcing the collaboration in a letter to ECAPI dated *Monday, July 27, 2026*, with *Ref No.: CZ:4700/LS/PPRO/VOL.1/240*, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Tijani, said the campaign will focus on engaging young people in secondary schools, universities, market men and women, and communities through town halls, mentorship sessions, digital content, and grassroots outreach.
He added that the objective is to change the narrative around policing, promote lawful behaviour, and encourage young Lagosians to see the police as partners in safety rather than adversaries. CP Tijani further said the initiative is timely given the rising need to bridge the trust gap between citizens and security agencies.
While urging officers across the state command to embrace the spirit of the campaign, CP Tijani said “Police Is Your Friend’ is not a slogan; it is our commitment to dialogue, respect, partnership and shared responsibility for safety. This is about changing perception through conduct. Every interaction between an officer and a young person from today must reflect professionalism, respect, and service.”
“The Inspector General of Police, IGP Rilwan Disu, has charged all Commands to reposition the Force in a way that makes the public, especially the youth, see the Nigeria Police Force as protectors and partners.
“Lagos is the commercial and entertainment capital of Nigeria. It has one of the largest youth populations in Africa. Our young people drive culture, innovation, and enterprise here. If we get it right with them, we get it right with the entire country. If we win the trust of our young people, we win the future of policing in Nigeria,” he added.
Commenting on the development, the President of Eagle Crime Awareness & Prevention Initiative (ECAPI), Amb. (Mayor) Eniola Samuel Adam thanked the Inspector General of Police, ICP Rilwan Disu, and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Tijani, and said ECAPI is ready to commence activities immediately.
He said, “We are grateful to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Rilwan Disu, and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police for this opportunity. This partnership proves that the Police are ready to walk with the people.
“From today, ECAPI teams are activated. We will begin school visits, community dialogues, and digital campaigns to ensure that every young person in Lagos understands that the police are their friends and allies in building a safer state.”
*A National Repositioning Agenda*
The “Police Is Your Friend” Advocacy Campaign is part of the nationwide repositioning agenda of IGP Rilwan Disu, aimed at rebuilding public trust in the Nigeria Police Force and strengthening police-citizen relationships, with a special focus on young people.
The Lagos campaign mirrors IGP Disu’s national directive to all state commands to prioritize community policing, accountability, and public engagement. Since assuming office, IGP Disu has emphasized that rebuilding public trust requires more than arrests and patrols. It requires communication, transparency, and consistent service delivery.
“The Nigeria Police Force cannot police this country alone; we need the cooperation of the people. And to get that cooperation, the people must trust us. ‘Police Is Your Friend’ is our way of saying: we are here to protect you, to listen to you, and to serve you with dignity,” IGP Disu said in a recent statement.
*The Campaign Structure*
According to the CP Fatai Tijani, the Lagos campaign of the advocacy will be implemented in three phases.
*Phase 1: School and Campus Engagement*
Police Public Relations Officers and trained youth ambassadors will visit secondary schools and tertiary institutions to hold interactive sessions on crime prevention, cybercrime, drug abuse, cultism, and citizens’ rights and responsibilities. The sessions will also teach students how to report crime and misconduct through official channels, including the Complaint Response Unit, CRU.
*Phase 2: Community and Market Outreach*
Divisional commands will partner with community leaders, market associations, and youth groups to hold town hall meetings. The meetings will create safe spaces for residents to ask questions, lodge complaints, and receive feedback on policing in their areas.
*Phase 3: Digital and Media Advocacy*
A dedicated social media campaign will run across Instagram, TikTok, X, and WhatsApp, featuring short videos, testimonials, and infographics. The content will be produced in English, Pidgin, Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa to ensure wide reach among Lagos’ diverse population.
The campaign will combine community town halls, school outreaches, digital advocacy, and grassroots sensitization to educate youths on crime prevention, lawful engagement with security agencies, and available channels for reporting complaints.
Under the partnership, ECAPI will serve as the Command’s civil society implementation partner. The organization will mobilize its network of youth ambassadors, community mobilizers, and media volunteers to take the campaign to schools, markets, motor parks, religious centers, and online platforms.
Founded in 2016, ECAPI has carried out over 200 anti-crime prevention and civic education programs in schools and communities across Nigeria.
*Det. Daniel U. Anazia*
*National Director, Media & Strategic Communication ECAPI*
*Juy 28, 2026*
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