The bodies in Lagos lagoon
Residents have expressed concern over the discovery of two bodies in the Lagos lagoon along Awolowo Way, Lagos, raising questions about security and policing along the waterways.
In the last five months, two bodies have reportedly been discovered in the lagoon. Residents are worried because the waterway is located close to both the Nigerian Army’s Bonny Camp Military Cantonment and the Naval Dockyard, areas regularly patrolled by the Naval Police and Marine Police.
While one body was sighted along the waterway in February 2026, another was discovered on May 18, 2026, floating amid plastic waste and other refuse.
On the latter occasion, The Guardian contacted the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, whose officials were deployed to evacuate the body.
A resident at one of the nearby hotels, who identified himself simply as Fowler, said: “Over 23 million people live in Lagos, many in situations of precarity. People take risks, life is short and harsh. Bodies end up everywhere, including the lagoon. They may have been dumped miles away. Am I surprised? No bodies end up in the Thames and the Hudson too.”
Asked when he first noticed a body in the lagoon, Fowler said, “I saw another floater about five months ago. No head shot in the first one, just face down and stinking.”
He added that both bodies were surrounded by plastic bottles, odd shoes, sacks of rubbish, fast-food debris and other waste materials.
Reacting to the development, spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Adebisi Abimbola, reiterated the command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of residents in riverine communities across the state.
She said Marine Police personnel of the command constantly patrol the waterways and remain available round the clock to respond promptly to emergency security situations within riverine areas.
“In addition to waterborne operations, the Command also conducts aerial surveillance and intelligence-driven monitoring of strategic locations to enhance security coverage and detect potential threats within the waterways and adjoining communities.”
“However, it is important to emphasise that no security agency can be everywhere at every given time. This underscores the need for greater cooperation and support from members of the communities. Effective policing thrives on partnership between the Police and the public.
“The Police can only act on information available to them. Therefore, prompt and credible information from residents is crucial in preventing and combating crime. We urge community leaders, boat operators, fishermen and other stakeholders in the riverine areas to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious persons, movements or activities to the nearest Police formation or Marine Police unit.
“The Command will continue to deploy operational assets and personnel, including marine and aerial surveillance capabilities, to secure the waterways while strengthening collaboration with the people to ensure that criminal elements have no safe haven within our riverine communities. Prompt information remains one of the most effective tools in the fight against crime and criminality,” she said.
