The Lagos State Police Command has refuted claims that its officers and men are conniving with thugs to allegedly pave the way for a one-party state in the country, especially in Lagos.
It debunked the allegation in a statement titled: RE: The Nigerian Police in Collaboration With APC Thugs Working Towards Creating a One-Party State, by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and issued by the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Babaseyi B. Oluseyi for the Commissioner of Police (CP), Olohundare Jimoh.
“The attention of the Lagos State Police Command has been drawn to a media interview on Arise News Television during “The Morning Show” programme on Sunday, September 7, 2025 between 8:00am and 9:00am, where Rhodes-Vivour accused the Nigeria Police APC working in collaboration with thugs towards creating a one-party state.
“It is pertinent to set the record straight and inform members of the public that the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, directed the deployment of joint police teams consisting of conventional police personnel, tactical squads and the Police Mobile Force (PMF) to patrol Alimosho local government area and other parts of Lagos State to ensure law and order, protect citizens and guarantee public safety, and not for any political interest or in collaboration with APC thugs, as alleged by Rhodes-Vivour.
From police records, the APC in Alimosho Federal Constituency duly informed the Lagos State Police Command of a programme tagged: Alimosho Federal Constituency Sensitization Exercise on Continuous Voter Registration held on Saturday, September 6, 2025, for its members and followers at Lion Field, off Kokumo Road by Moshalashi Roundabout, Iyana-Ipaja. Police personnel were deployed for the protection and safety of attendees and the event ended without any incident.
“The Lagos State Police Command wishes to categorically state that it was not informed of any other political rally or gathering by Rhodes-Vivour in any part of Alimosho on the same date. It is equally factual to state that no letter of notification or request for police protection was received from him regarding any political rally,” the statement reads.
It explained that about 1230hrs on Saturday, September 6, 2025, the Command received distress calls from members of the public of a pandemonium and disorder inside the Christ Gospel Mission International Campground, which caused worshippers attending a special Holy Prayer programme to scamper for safety.
It pointed out that to protect the Church, worshippers and other innocent members of the public, the Commissioner of Police personally led joint police intervention teams to the campground and on arrival, it was discovered, based on accounts from worshippers, that a political rally was being forcefully held inside the religious premises without the approval or authorization of the Church.
“The Commissioner of Police and his team promptly restored normalcy and advised members of the Church to remain calm, while adequate police personnel were deployed in and around the premises to protect worshippers and maintain order. At no time was a Deputy Commissioner posted to act as a gateman at the campground, as alleged by Rhodes-Vivour during his interview on ARISE TV.
“There were no coaster buses observed damaged within the holy premises or along the road leading to the campground throughout the period the Commissioner of Police was present.
“It is incumbent on the Lagos State Police Command to educate Rhodes-Vivour that churches, mosques and holy centres are sacred worship grounds and not meant for political rallies or declarations of political support. His desperate political intrusion into the Christ Gospel Mission International Campground on Saturday, September 6, 2025 while worshippers were engaged in prayers was a sacrilegious act, capable of endangering lives and jeopardizing public safety. Such conduct is likely to cause a breach of the peace and attract criminal liabilities,” the statement added.
In a related development, the state police informed members of public that normalcy has been restored on the Third Mainland Bridge following a protest staged by residents of Oworoshoki over demolitions in their area on Monday, September 8, 2025 during which the protesters blocked the section of the bridge near Iyana-Oworo Bus Stop, obstructing movement from the Island to the Mainland.
In a statement made available to journalists, DSP Oluseyi confirmed that upon receiving the information, CP Jimoh swiftly moved to the scene alongside detachments of the Mobile Police Force, Tactical Units and Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel to ensure immediate engagement, de-escalation and the protection of lives and property.
“The CP personally interfaced with the protesters in a bid to understand their grievances and persuade them to vacate the bridge. Despite his appeals, the protesters remained adamant, resulting in continued blockage of the busy route and worsening the distress of commuters, including reports of sick individuals trapped in traffic who required urgent medical attention.
“In the interest of public safety and to avert further breakdown of law and order, the Commissioner of Police directed the use of minimal force to disperse the crowd. Barricades erected by the protesters were dismantled, traffic obstructions were cleared, and the free flow of vehicles was restored without any loss of life.
“The state police command thereby reassures members of the public of its neutrality and unwavering commitment to maintaining law, order and peace across the state, while urging residents to always channel their grievances through lawful means and assured that the police remain dedicated to protecting the rights of all citizens,” the statement added.
