Cobwebs, cockroaches and forgotten boxes: The silent decay of Mike Okiro’s Lagos Police Information Points

By OWOLOLA ADEBOLA
Years after Sir Mike Mbama Okiro served as Commissioner of Police in Lagos State and later rose to become Inspector-General of Police, a quiet but telling symbol of institutional neglect stands along some of the city’s streets and junctions. The police information boxes he introduced during his tenure as Lagos CP — modest metal or wooden receptacles strategically placed to encourage anonymous tips, community intelligence and support for investigations — have largely been abandoned to nature.
Cobwebs thick as lace drape their openings. Cockroaches scuttle in the dark interiors. Spiders claim the corners as permanent residences. Dust, rust and indifference have comple...