After five years in production, Lasgidi Cops: Special Crimes Unit has premiered on Canal+ Afrique in French-speaking regions, while Nigerian audiences continue to wait for a local release.

Produced by Asake Productions and directed by Ola, the crime drama follows a special unit led by Chief Prosecutor Ore Fadeyi (Bimbo Akintola) as they take on a powerful cabal threatening to destabilize Lagos’ financial system. The series features veteran actors Joke Silva, Femi Branch, and Wole Ojo, delivering performances that heighten its tense, high-stakes narrative.

Originally introduced on Africa Magic in 2016, the series has now been reimagined for a 2025 audience with refreshed production quality and themes that explore justice, corruption, and power. Though set in Lagos, the French-language adaptation signals a broader strategy to engage Francophone African markets, where audiences in Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Cameroon represent a major viewership base.

Industry analysts suggest the choice to launch in French may be linked to Canal+ Afrique’s distribution priorities, potential co-production agreements, or the need to capture underserved Francophone audiences before expanding to English-speaking regions. The move also reflects a growing trend in Nollywood: tailoring content linguistically to reach diverse African markets.

While this decision opens the door for cross-cultural exchange, it raises questions about access for Nigerian and diaspora audiences, who are still waiting for the English release. Whether this approach strengthens pan-African storytelling or risks fragmenting audiences remains to be seen.