•Receives 100 more vehicles from gov

By Christopher Oji

The Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) has expended  N1,775,543,613.81 on security agencies within a period of one year. The money was from received  cash donations totalling N1,848,406,100.00.

This was revealed by Executive Secretary/CEO LSSTF, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, at the 19th Annual Town Hall Meeting on security with the Governor, yesterday, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

He said, “We received donation of N1,848,406,100.00, while total expenditure on interventions for the year stood at N1,775,543,613.81 as of the same date.

“It is with great humility that I stand before you today as the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund. I am deeply grateful to Mr. Governor for the opportunity to serve the public in this capacity, and I pledge to give my utmost in fulfilling the responsibilities of this office and meeting the expectations of the good people of Lagos State.

“I also extend my sincere appreciation to my predecessors, Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun and Mr. Fola Arthur-Worrey, for upholding the standards of the fund and keeping the flag flying until it became my turn to carry it forward. I thank you both, and I hope you will indulge me when I come to seek your counsel, as I most certainly will, from time to time.

“My assignment this morning is to provide a concise update on the activities o LSSTF since our last town hall meeting, now set against the backdrop of our 2025 theme, ‘Building Trust, Enhancing Security: A New Era of Security and Partnerships.’

“Across the country, security has once again become a central concern. Recent increases in attacks by insurgent and terrorist groups have heightened public anxiety, particularly regarding the safety of our children in schools. The closure of several schools across different parts of Nigeria has further underscored the need for stronger, coordinated action and renewed collaboration between government, communities and security agencies, as Nigeria’s security challenges have expanded in scale and complexity.

“In Lagos, we must stay vigilant and proactive, ensuring that our responses are grounded in trust, partnership and continuous improvement, while reinforcing the need for stronger preventive structures, better intelligence, and more robust community engagement.

“Although Lagos has remained relatively secure due to proactive collaboration between state authorities and security agencies, we cannot be complacent. The city continues to attract people from across the country, many seeking legitimate opportunities, but there are those that continue to test the resilience of our security architecture. Our job at the Fund is therefore more important now than ever. Please find in this publication an insightful article on the theme, authored by the COO of Halogen Academy, Dr. Wale Adeagbo, for a more in-depth read.

“Since its establishment in 2007, the LSSTF has remained a critical intervention mechanism designed to strengthen the operational capacities of security agencies in Lagos State. Supported by the Lagos State Government, Local Governments, LCDAs, and the generous contributions of private-sector organizations and individuals, the Fund continues to bridge long-standing capacity gaps affecting federal security agencies operating in Lagos.

“These gaps, such as human, logistical, and technological, persist into 2025 and remain too significant to ignore. Lagos is a dense, complex megacity whose security needs far outweigh the resources typically allocated at the federal level. It should be well noted that the Fund was never intended to replace federal obligations, but rather to ensure that critical interventions can be made quickly, transparently, and effectively to maintain a secure environment for residents, businesses, and visitors.

“Under the leadership of the Board of Trustees, chaired by Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, the Fund continues to operate with a transparent, responsive, and efficient governance structure that has continued to deepen in line with global best practices in corporate governance. Urgent requests are analysed and approved within 24 hours, ensuring swift action when security threats arise.

“The Board remains debt-free, financially disciplined, and committed to maintaining liquidity for contingencies, an approach that has proven critically beneficial during evolving security situations.

“As in a democratic dispensation, Lagos continues to rely majorly on the Police, led by the Lagos State Police Command and supported by the Area Commands, Divisional Headquarters’, Mobile Police units, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS),  SIB; the State Criminal Investigation Division, Marine Police, other Police Commands as the Airports, Railway, Mounted Police Commands etc. Additional assistance from other security agencies such as Department of State Service, OP MESA (made up of the Army, Navy and Air Force), Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), amongst others. Sister security and safety agencies including the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Agency (LNSA), Nigerian Correctional Services, Nigeria Immigration Services, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), also play a vital role to give Lagos a more robust security cover.

“These agencies face operational challenges, but strategic investments in equipment, logistics and training, continue to strengthen their effectiveness. These interventions are a testament to what is possible when partnerships are rooted in trust and shared responsibility.

“This year, the Lagos State Government demonstrated exemplary leadership and its continued commitment to public safety through an in-kind donation of 217 vehicles to the Fund. These vehicles were fitted with communication gadgets and other security equipment by the Fund prior to distribution.

In addition, the Fund received two vehicles from the SNEPCO/Shell Joint Venture, purchased seven  buses and two  15-ton troop carriers, bringing the total number of vehicles provided by the Fund in 2025 to 228.

“These vehicles were distributed among security agencies operating across Lagos State, significantly enhancing mobility, response times, and overall territorial coverage.

“We express our sincere appreciation to all our benefactors, especially the Lagos State Government, for their generous contributions. Some of the beneficiaries of these vehicles are showcased in the picture gallery in this brochure.

“Other key interventions during the year include:Provision of 1,500 pairs of black leather police boots.100 batteries of various sizes/AMPs,2,000 police uniforms with badges,100 rechargeable flashlights,eight  drums of SAE 40 lubricant

“Under my stewardship, the Fund will continue to pursue donations from Public and Private entities including individuals. The Fund will also intensify efforts at attracting retail donations. To this end more efforts would be made to make the Fund more visible and transparent with a lot of campaigns focused at fundraising. In fact, we have already begun engaging youths and well-wishers, and in the last four weeks alone, we have received retail donations from nearly 240 individuals, amounting to about ₦ 38 Million. These contributions, some as modest as ₦500, ₦1,000, ₦5,000, ₦10,000, and so on, are deeply meaningful. For me, it is less about the amount and more about the commitment shown by people who may not have much but are willing to give what they can for the collective good. We are truly encouraged by this achievement, and we intend to replicate and expand this effort on a much larger scale.

The Fund will engage stakeholders more and explore creative collaboration opportunities to get as many organizations and individuals as possible involved in our collective resolve to keep our state safe and secure.

“In addition, officers and men who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to keeping Lagos safe will be formally recognized by the Fund, in collaboration with the Lagos State Government. To commence this initiative, we will be presenting awards for gallantry to the police team of the Commissioner of Police’s Special Squad 1, Ikeja, for their role in the successful operation of July 4, 2024, in Ladipo, Lagos, which led to neutralization of nine  notorious kidnappers and the recovery of several weapons, equipment, and operational assets. In addition, and on the recommendation of  CP Moshood Jimoh, we will also be honouring other deserving officers and men of the Lagos State Police Command today as we continue to encourage their morale and express our gratitude for their unwavering service. This acknowledgements, though long overdue, marks the beginning of a series of similar recognitions.”

While giving the scorecard for the Command , Lagos state Commissioner of Police , Olahundare Jimoh  said that the police arrested 317 armed robbery suspects within the period under review .

“He said the police recorded 141 armed robbery operation which were foiled robberies by the police. According to him, 115 armed robbery suspects were charged to court.

“The command recorded four kidnap cases;arrested  50 kidnappers  and charged  to court. 23 cases of cultism were  recorded, while 211 number of cultists were arrested and 45 were charged to court,” he said.

On stolen vehicles, he said the command recorded  76 stolen vehicles and  72 out of the number were  recovered. While 142 murder cases were recorded. “They were 176 number of rape, defilement, indecent and sexual assault cases, 222 rape and defilement suspects were arrested, 200 were charged to court. 9,275 social migrants arrested and charged to court.

“518 number of ammunition recovered, 25 number of other dangerous weapons and cudgels recovered, 7,453 number of vehicle contravene  for plying BRT lane. 828 number of vehicle impounded for driving against traffic, and 6,736 number of motorcycles contravene for flouting restriction order,” he said.

According to him, “The Governor has always allowed us to do our work without restrictions. There have never been a time he called us to say, drop a case. He has been in full support, supplying us with all the necessary equipments we need.”

He also said that the security agencies are working together and effectively for the safety of Lagos State. He noted that his team is  fully prepared for the festive season.”We have been prepared from September to date.

“They have not been any security concern in Lagos. Lagos State Police Command has reviewed its strategies and implemented comprehensive measures to combat crime and ensure the safety of lives and property throughout the state.

“Adequate personnel have been deployed to manage traffic in areas known for heavy congestion while close surveillance will be maintained to prevent incidents of traffic-related robbery,” he added.

However,the governor donated another 100 vehicles to  security agencies and charged them to make the state uncomfortable for criminals.