Lagos trains 1,800 law enforcement officers

The Lagos State Government has trained 1,800 law enforcement officers from seven agencies as part of efforts to strengthen professionalism and improve service delivery amid growing debate over the establishment of state police in Nigeria.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu disclosed this on Thursday at the 2026 passing-out parade of the Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute, where the officers graduated after completing a mandatory in-service training programme.

Represented by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, the governor said effective law enforcement was critical to good governance and the creation of a safe environment for residents, businesses, investors and visitors.

“Effective law enforcement is therefore an essential pillar of good governance. Our officers must be adequately trained, professionally equipped, and guided by clear standards of conduct to discharge their responsibilities effectively,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He stressed that the responsibilities of law enforcement officers went beyond exercising authority, noting that they must earn public trust through responsible conduct, impartiality and service.

The governor identified discipline and integrity, respect for the rule of law, professionalism and competence, respect for the public, and accountability and service as the five principles that should guide the officers.

“Today is a proud moment, but it is also the beginning of a demanding responsibility,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu urged the officers to respect the rights of residents and treat members of the public fairly, stressing that public cooperation depended largely on the conduct of law enforcement personnel.

“At the same time, law enforcement officers must understand that public cooperation is strengthened when citizens are treated fairly, their concerns are heard, and their rights are respected,” he said.

He also called on residents to obey lawful directives, respect public regulations, protect public infrastructure and report concerns through appropriate channels.

The governor urged LETI’s management to sustain its commitment to quality training, ethical standards and professional competence, noting that modern law enforcement required personnel who were knowledgeable, emotionally mature, physically prepared and technologically aware.

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“The true value of today’s ceremony will be demonstrated in the conduct of these officers in the field,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Earlier, the Head and Chief Executive Officer of LETI, Mrs Taiwo Bonnie, said the 1,800 graduates were drawn from seven law enforcement agencies in Lagos State.

The agencies are the Vehicle Inspection Service, Kick Against Indiscipline, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, Community-Based Development, Lagos State Parking Authority and Lagos State Waterways Authority.

Bonnie said the training was designed to strengthen the officers’ professional capacity and equip them with the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to meet the demands of modern law enforcement.

According to her, the curriculum covered law enforcement, technology, self-development, teamwork, inter-agency collaboration, health and wellness, stress management, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first-response skills, physical fitness and field exercises.

Congratulating the graduates, she urged them to apply the knowledge acquired during the programme and discharge their responsibilities with integrity, discipline, courage, fairness, restraint and accountability.

She said the institute remained committed to developing a modern and innovative training institution capable of producing competent personnel for effective law enforcement in the 21st century.

Bonnie also commended the state government, the institute’s management and staff, facilitators, instructors, medical professionals and partners for their contributions to the successful completion of the programme.

Emphasising the importance of personal conduct in building public confidence, she told the graduating officers, “Your uniform represents authority, but your character determines the respect you command.”

She urged them to protect the dignity of the people they served and contribute to building a safer, more orderly and prosperous Lagos State.

The mandatory in-service training is part of the state government’s efforts to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement personnel and improve service delivery across Lagos.