Lagos Activates 24/7 CCTV Centre to Fight Crime in Real-Time

Lagos just got a powerful new tool in the fight against crime, and it's watching over the city 24 hours a day.

The Lagos State Police Command activated a state-of-the-art CCTV Surveillance Centre on January 14, giving officers eyes across Lagos Island and surrounding areas. The facility operates nonstop with trained personnel monitoring live feeds from cameras positioned at strategic locations including the busy Third Mainland Bridge and adjoining waterways.

Commissioner of Police Olohundare Jimoh led the initiative as part of a broader push toward technology-driven policing in Nigeria's most populous state. The Federal Government built and fully equipped the centre through the Ministry of Works under Minister Dave Umahi's supervision, showing national commitment to urban security innovation.

The centre functions as Control Room 5, where officers can spot suspicious activity as it unfolds and deploy rapid responses based on real-time intelligence. This proactive approach means potential crimes can be stopped before they happen, rather than only investigating after the fact.

To boost the centre's effectiveness, the command received two new operational vehicles on January 16. The additions enhance mobility and help officers respond faster when surveillance teams identify threats.

The Ripple Effect

This technology upgrade represents more than just new cameras and screens. It signals a fundamental shift in how Africa's megacities can tackle security challenges using modern tools.

For Lagos residents who navigate crowded bridges and busy waterways daily, the surveillance centre offers tangible peace of mind. Knowing that trained eyes are watching key choke points around the clock creates a deterrent effect while enabling faster help when emergencies arise.

The initiative also demonstrates how federal and state governments can work together on urban safety, setting a model other Nigerian cities might follow. As the centre proves its worth, the approach could spread to other high-traffic areas beyond Lagos Island.

Police officials emphasized that technology alone isn't enough. They're urging residents to stay alert and report suspicious activities through emergency hotlines, creating a partnership between high-tech monitoring and community vigilance.

The surveillance centre transforms Lagos policing from reactive to predictive, giving officers the advantage of seeing trouble brewing and stopping it early. That's the kind of smart investment that makes cities safer for everyone who lives, works, and travels through them.