…As he raised N2b for LSSTF
By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday, December 12th,2023, has lauded effort of security operatives in the state, stressing that Lagos recorded zero bank robbery within four years.
” For three and half years Lagos has recorded zero no incident of armed robbery assault against any financial institution in the state, the development being the longest period over the last two decades.
The governor disclosed this during the 17th Town Hall Meeting on Security with the governor organised by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) with the theme “Security Complexities and Convergence: The Lagos State Imperatives “, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
“Although Lagos, however, recorded 189 cases of residential robberies under the year in review, 172 of which were successfully foiled by security operatives, while 257 suspects were arrested.
Sanwo-Olu, stated that the improvement was the continuous review of the state’s security architecture and the consistent surveillance put in place to nip organized crimes in the bud.
“At the event stakeholders in the security circle, citizens, and private sector donors met to evaluate issues relating to safety in Lagos between October 2022 and September 2023, the governor commended the effort of the Police, Military and sister agencies for their collaborative efforts towards combating crimes in the city, saying the state had built a stabilized security landscape compared to other states of the country.
He noted that more challenges lay ahead they need to overcome, pointedly ,he stated that the state, through LSSTF, had consistently funded the operations of security agencies across communities to ensure quick response to threats and crimes.
Sanwo-Olu added that the state government had provided operational vehicles and equipment aimed at enhancing the capacity of security operatives, saying that the intervention had raised the frequency of crime-busting responses, which, according to him, had resulted in an unprecedented record of progress in the history of policing in the state.
“We converged here today to discuss and evaluate the trajectory of our collective effort to bolster security in Lagos. Our discussion centres around the convergence of security strategies, which is an integral component of our THEMES+ agenda. Our administration recognizes security as a multifaceted challenge, and we promise to continue to pursue policies and actions that will foster the well-being of all Lagosians,while keeping faith in our pledge to build a secure and inclusive community.
He said:“LSSTF, is fueled by voluntary donations, and significantly it has strengthened the security architecture,
Sanwo-Olu pledge that by 2024 it would kick off with new security measures, disclosing that his administration would be raising the fleet of patrol vehicles for security agencies by 300 units in collaboration with local government authorities in the state.
“Emphatically, he said ; this would be done in collaboration with local government authorities.
“Also, the governor said the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) has been repositioned to gather actionable intelligence to complement efforts by the security agencies, adding that the state’s emergency call centre was undergoing operational restructuring for enhanced intelligence reporting.
“Moreso, addressing critical needs, the state governor said it would be done in collaboration with local authorities, they will provide 300 patrol vehicles through the LSSTF at the beginning of next year. We have repositioned the neighbourhood safety agency to gather actionable intelligence to support security responses,” he noted
The governor personally led the donation drive to LSSTF, raising N2 billion in voluntary contributions to the Trust Fund at the event.
Oil mogul and businessman, Mr. Femi Otedola, pledged a donation of N1 billion to the fund, just as other donors turned out large donations to the cause.
Acting Commissioner of Police, Waheed Ayilara, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, while reporting on the crime situation in Lagos, said 103 firearms, 324 assorted ammunition, and 279 dangerous weapons were recovered during the year.
He said 158 cases of murder were recorded, with the incidents resulting in the deaths of 163 victims, adding that a total of 18 kidnapping suspects were also arrested in connection with eight incidents.
The police boss also raised the alarm about the rising cases of domestic violence and abuse, noting that 256 cases of gender-related violence were recorded with 333 suspects in custody.
LSSTF Executive Secretary, Dr AbdurRazaq Balogun, said Lagos State Police Command only received nine patrol vehicles from the Federal Government within two years, stressing that the Fund used donations it received in the last 10 months to bridge the equipment shortfall within federally controlled security agencies operating in Lagos.
According to Balogun, Lagos remained the only state with 28 functioning bullet-proof vehicles, with three vehicles’ armoured features being replaced every five years.
“The Fund received a total of N318.75 million in cash donations and two vehicles in 2023. We continue to thank our donors, as their partnership is far-reaching and critical to the success of these security activities,” he said.
LSSTF BOT Chairman, Mr Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, in his own remark, said that although the economic situation in the country had affected donations to the Fund, the agency surpassed its revenue target by 94 per cent.
“The unstable economic climate, largely influenced by increasing foreign exchange rates, has been a major fundraising challenge.
“This makes the donation drive even more pertinent for us, especially as there is no alternative to the collective funding model given, which is an indication that the government cannot do it alone,” he pointed out.