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By Christopher Oji
The Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) in collaboration with the Nigeria Police ( Airwing Command)have commenced aerial surveillance across the state.
The Fund and the Police have therefore, read a riot act to criminal elements to quit the state or risked being flushed out by force.
The maiden flight took place yesterday, marking the beginning of a sustained aerial patrol initiative designed by LSSTF to strengthen intelligence gathering, enhance rapid response capability, and reinforce the state’s overall security framework. Subsequent flights will be conducted on a continuous basis as part of an integrated surveillance strategy.
According to Executive Secretary, LSSTF,Dr. Ayo Ogunsan, who was in compny with Commissioners of Police in charge of Police Airwing, Martin Nwogoh and Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, at the Airwing Command, said, “This initiative by LSSTF is in a bid to further strengthen the security architecture of Lagos State and to provide additional operational support to law enforcement agencies in the discharge of their duties. The helicopter patrol will provide real-time aerial surveillance, assist in monitoring flashpoints, deter criminal activities, and improve coordinated responses to incidents across the State.
“Lagos, as a megacity and economic nerve centre, requires proactive and technologically driven security measures. The collaboration between the Fund and the Police Airwing Command represents another strategic step toward ensuring that residents and businesses operate in a safe and secure environment.
“We wish to assure all residents that these patrol flights are strictly for surveillance and public safety purposes. Citizens are encouraged to continue their lawful activities without fear, while remaining vigilant and cooperative with law enforcement authorities.
“The Fund remains committed to working closely with the Government and all security stakeholders to sustain innovative interventions that will preserve peace, stability, and prosperity in Lagos State.”
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“ I am happy with the aerial surveillance patrol. I was able to see Lagos as it really is. We went round Lagos in just few minutes. The initiative is good as it will reassure our donors and other citizens of our commitment to secure the state. I think Lagosians are confident of this strategic decision to chase criminals in the air,on the ground and in the waterways. The Fund is doing its best to deal with criminals in whichever way they follow.
“ The patrol was quite amusing; interesting amd mind blowing. For the first time ,seeing the Lagos that we are passionate about in the air during the patrol and seeing it well secured is interesting . This initiative shouldn’t have been possible without the Governor of Lagos State Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Whose heartbeat is safety of lagos and other board members who supported the innovative. With this , we have sent signals to people ; a signal of peace and rest of mind to law abiding citizens . We have told Lagosians that there is safety in Lagos. We have told them that it is not only going to be safety on our waterways and the land,but also on the air. We have also sent signal to the other people from the other devide ,who want to cause chaos in the state. We have told them that if we can’t get them on the land, we will get them on our waterways and if we cant get them on our waterways ,we will get them up there . In Lagos , there is no nonsense, we cannot tolerate any kind of criminality. I am saying it unequivocally that there is no hidding place for criminal elements in Lagos.
“The airal patrol is a regular thing . Lagos is prepared, the state is the best state in Nigeria. I say it without apologies. This is the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria; a mini Nigeria. We are capable, it is not only about the government, but it is also about the people. The people who love peace. The donors are watching us ,they know that whatever they give us , we utilise them for their safety.
On his own, CP Airwing , Nwogoh, expressed joy that the Lagos State Government is determined to fight crime to a standstill, saying ,” We covered the entire Lagos in just few minutes. That is to tell you the importance and capability of aerial patrol. The helicopter patrol could be for many purposes. It could be for surveillance or rescue purposes. It could be for advancement of men or insertion of troops when the need arises. What we did today is surveillance patrol to see Lagos for ourselves. We saw a peaceful, bubbling and very calm Lagos. We assured Lagosians that with surveillance patrol, they are going to witness peace . We passed all the hots spots, we have sent signals to criminal elements that we are ready for them . Criminals will no longer be comfortable as there won’t be safe haven for them in Lagos.”
However, Lagos State CP, Olohundare Jimoh, said,” The Police Airwing is one of the very typical departments in the police that has been doing wonders for the force, especially in ensuring that we get it and the information on the ground. This is not my first encounter, I’ve been to several missions where we go on aerial patrol on daily basis to do area surveillance of the entire territory. I know the capacity that I’ve had and flown through this Helicopter and I know the police pilots are one of the best in this country that we have today. It’s not difficult to be able to observe the entire Lagos that we’ve moved around like you have seen and I wish some of you can equally have the encounter of going with us. We patrolled the entire Mokoko and other hot spots.
“You know that Mokoko is actually a passport moving into Lagos Island and coming back into the inland. The entire Yaba area were equally patrolled. While I said coordination is that both the police on the air, then the police marine on the water side and the deployment of all our personnel through the nooks and crannies of the state, including all the area that we needed to be from around this time as it has to do with the patrol of the contiguous area of Lagos and other cities and borders.
“Because of security concerns, we are able to go around the entire area and know that Lagos is safe. So we want to send a warning to criminals or who will be criminal to measure the park. They should turn a new leaf or leave the state.
“The state is secured from all the front.The impact of the patrol is to ensure that we improve the confidence of the people of Lagos and I keep on repeating to investors that are coming from other countries of the world to come and invest in Lagos. Their infrastructure, their investment are protected.
Equally ensuring safety for the critical infrastructure of the federal and state governments because we patrol the entire Third Mainland Bridge, which is equally very vital. And if you draw your mind back in the last two months or so, the Federal Ministry of Works donated the control centre to us. So there is going to be synergy. There’s going to be coordination between the police Airwing, the police marine department and equally the Lagos State Police Command in ensuring this.”
