The Renewal Group (TRG), a non-aligned political pressure organization, has called on the President of Nigeria to establish an independent panel of enquiry into policing in Lagos. The group made this appeal during its inaugural press briefing held on March 19, 2026.
TRG says its mission is to use political engagement as a tool for transformational development. At the center of its first address is the growing concern over law enforcement standards in Lagos State, particularly under the leadership of Moshood Jimoh.
The Role of Policing in National Development
The group highlighted the historical foundation of the Nigeria Police Force, noting its roots in the British policing system. According to TRG, the force was once structured to maintain order effectively but suffered institutional setbacks during military rule, when funding and operational capacity were significantly reduced.
The address referenced reforms initiated under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who sought to reposition the police as a more citizen-friendly institution.
TRG stressed that policing remains central to national development. Without law and order, the group argued, no society can achieve meaningful progress. It added that the decline in policing standards in Nigeria is both systemic and politically influenced.
Why Lagos Matters
Describing Lagos as Africa’s commercial nerve center, TRG emphasized the city’s strategic importance. With an estimated population exceeding 20 million, Lagos is portrayed as a critical hub for economic and social activity.
However, the group warned that the current state of policing in Lagos is becoming a source of concern. It claims that enforcement practices are deteriorating and that public confidence in law enforcement is weakening.
Call for Investigation
TRG specifically pointed to what it described as troubling developments under CP Moshood Jimoh’s leadership. The group said its call for a presidential panel is not based on speculation but on what it claims are verifiable incidents.
One example cited was a viral video involving the Lagos Task Force. TRG questioned the approach to enforcement, suggesting that existing agencies such as road safety officials and traffic management authorities are better suited for certain responsibilities.
The group also criticized what it described as a neglect of environmental duties, noting the reintroduction of monthly sanitation exercises as evidence of declining standards.
Demand for Accountability
TRG concluded that this is not the time for public arguments but for fact-finding. It urged the federal government to act swiftly by setting up an independent panel to investigate the issues raised and restore confidence in policing across Lagos State.
