Festive Policing, Quietly Done
By Adebisi Adams Oyeshakin
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December in Lagos is a stress test for public order. The city swells with returning residents and visitors, roads tighten under festive traffic, celebrations stretch deep into the night, and tempers can flare. Yet the 2025 Christmas and New Year period passed with a level of calm many residents noticed—if quietly. That calm was not accidental. It was the product of deliberate planning, visible coordination, and a policing approach that prioritised prevention over reaction.
Ahead of the festivities, the Lagos State Police Command unveiled a statewide security architecture covering roads, waterways, worship centres, markets, motor parks, and entertainment hubs. Conventional patrols were reinforced by tactical units, intelligence operatives, marine police, and special squads. Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers received clear directives on patrol intensity, visibility, and professional conduct. Notably, more than 5,000 officers were assigned to traffic duties alone—an intentional move to ease congestion and reduce road fatalities during peak travel days.
The results were visible on the streets. Christmas and New Year celebrations recorded no major breakdown of law and order across Lagos. Traffic gridlocks still occurred—as expected in a megacity—but large-scale paralysis was limited. Armed robbery incidents associated with festive movements remained comparatively low. Religious gatherings extended into the early hours without major security scares. From mainland neighbourhoods to island corridors, house parties, street carnivals, and community jama unfolded with confidence rather than fear.
Beyond Christmas and New Year, Lagos also hosted events of deep cultural weight. The Eyo Festival returned after eight years, with activities beginning on December 26 and the main outing on December 27 at Tafawa Balewa Square. The festival honoured prominent Lagos figures and drew massive crowds of indigenes, tourists, and cultural observers. Policing an event rooted in tradition, symbolism, and strict codes is a different challenge from routine crowd control. Yet the outing held without a major security collapse—reflecting coordination not only among security agencies but also with traditional institutions.
This success matters because Lagos rarely hosts gatherings of this scale without friction. The deployment strategy extended beyond high-profile venues to inner streets and informal celebration spots. Police presence remained visible without becoming overbearing. Officers focused on deterrence rather than confrontation. Intelligence-led patrols disrupted potential flashpoints before they escalated. These choices reduced pressure on response systems and limited panic-driven incidents.
Still, the festive period also exposed areas requiring honest reflection. During the Eyo Festival, videos circulated showing participants using the opambata to beat individuals who violated certain procession rules. The clips sparked intense debate. Some defended the actions as cultural enforcement; others criticised them as assault masked by tradition. The conversation quickly broadened to questions of rights, crowd safety, and modern public order.
That moment tested the limits of policing during traditional festivals. Security agencies walked a delicate line between respecting indigenous customs and protecting citizens from harm. While the overall festival remained peaceful, the viral incidents revealed gaps in enforcement clarity and public education. Stronger pre-event sensitisation and clearer boundaries between cultural sanctions and physical harm would help reduce such controversies in future outings.
Despite these concerns, the broader festive season showcased a policing model built on coordination rather than chaos. Joint planning with agencies such as the Federal Road Safety Corps, LASTMA, the Lagos State Fire Service, and the Lagos State Security Trust Fund focused on accident prevention and emergency readiness—an acknowledgement that public safety extends beyond crime control to mobility, fire response, and rescue systems.
Public trust also played a quiet but decisive role. When residents see early patrols, widely circulated emergency numbers, and officers maintaining order without intimidation, cooperation improves. People report incidents faster. Crowds self-regulate. Panic reduces. These soft outcomes often matter more than arrest figures during mass celebrations.
The Commissioner of Police, Moshood Olohundare Jimoh, has consistently emphasised professionalism, humane conduct, and citizen confidence as pillars of effective policing. Under his tenure, the Command amplified messages discouraging unlawful stop-and-search practices, including public reminders that officers have no authority to check phones on the road. Such signals shape officer behaviour during high-pressure periods like festive seasons.
No festive operation is perfect. Minor incidents occurred. Online arguments flared. Cultural tensions surfaced. Yet the absence of widespread violence, major crime spikes, or systemic failure suggests preparation paid off. Lagos experienced joy without fear dominating the streets.
The lesson from this festive period is straightforward: policing works best when it anticipates human behaviour rather than merely reacts to breakdowns. Visibility deters. Coordination saves time. Respect builds compliance. As Lagos grows louder and denser, these principles will matter more each year.
Festivals test cities. Lagos passed this one with measured confidence, not noise. The task ahead is to refine crowd control during cultural events, strengthen public education, and sustain professionalism beyond festive windows. Peace achieved once proves little; peace sustained builds trust.
Adebisi Adams Oyeshakin, a PRNigeria Fellow, writes via [email protected].
