Security agencies must synergise on emerging threats — Ogunsan

By Christopher Oji

Chairman of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, has urged security agencies to strengthen collaboration in order to tackle emerging security threats across the country.

Ogunsan spoke during the fourth edition of the LSSTF Statewide Inter-Agency Training Programme in Lagos, stressing the need for deliberate efforts to dismantle institutional silos, strengthen professional standards and foster a culture of cooperation among personnel responsible for safeguarding lives and property in Lagos State.

He noted that the culture of inter-agency collaboration is one that the LSSTF is steadily institutionalising within the state’s security architecture.

The June edition of the programme, held on June 17 and 18, brought together personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS), Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Man O’ War, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA), Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army, Lagos State Fire Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), among others.

The training focused on professionalism, ethical conduct, intelligence sharing and operational collaboration.

Represented by the Director of Administration, Adegbola Lewis, Ogunsan said the increasingly sophisticated nature of security threats requires stronger collaboration among agencies and greater investment in professional development.

According to him, contemporary security challenges often cut across the mandates of individual agencies, making cooperation, trust and information sharing indispensable.

“One of the key objectives of this training is to deepen inter-agency understanding and cooperation,” he said.

He added: “No single agency, regardless of its capabilities, can effectively address every security challenge alone. Success in modern security operations depends largely on timely information sharing, mutual trust, coordinated responses and a clear understanding of each agency’s roles and responsibilities.”

Ogunsan noted that several security breakthroughs in recent years were achieved through coordinated action among agencies. He stressed that the public increasingly expects security institutions not only to respond to threats but also to prevent them through proactive collaboration and intelligence-driven operations.

He encouraged participants to actively engage in the programme and ensure that knowledge acquired is transferred to colleagues within their respective organisations.

A significant moment during the opening ceremony was a tribute to the late Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Finance and Administration, Lagos State Command, DCP Khan Salihu, who died shortly before the commencement of the training programme.

Lewis described the late officer’s passing as a great loss to the security community and praised his distinguished service record. Participants observed a minute’s silence in honour of DCP Khan and other fallen security personnel.

Representing the Chairman of the LSSTF Board of Trustees, Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG Agboola Oshodi-Glover, described the training as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation among security institutions.

He urged participants to see the programme as both a professional development exercise and a platform for building stronger inter-agency relationships.

“Law enforcement has become increasingly challenging due to banditry, land grabbing and unusual migration patterns,” he said. “You must therefore equip yourselves and remain prepared.”

The retired police officer also urged participants to uphold integrity, the rule of law, democratic policing, courage, compassion, professionalism and anti-corruption values.

Representing the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Olohundare Jimoh, ACP Oluwatoyin Kazeem, Officer-in-Charge of the Gender Unit, described the training theme, “Enhancing Professional Capacity, Ethical Standards and Inter-Agency Collaboration for Effective Security Operations,” as strategic and timely.

She stressed the need for continuous training to address emerging threats such as cybercrime, cult-related violence, organised crime and other security challenges confronting Lagos.

“As the city gets smarter, our response must get smarter too,” she said. “Continuous training, modern tools and intelligence-driven policing are how we stay ahead of emerging crime trends.”

In his remarks, the General Manager of Globus Training and Advisory Limited, Desmond Nnebue, emphasised the importance of inter-agency cooperation and cybersecurity awareness.

He said intelligence gathering and information sharing have become central pillars of effective security management.

“The officer from the next agency is a partner, not a competitor,” he said. “When agencies trust one another enough to share information, our response becomes faster and significantly more effective.”

Nnebue also warned participants about the growing threat of phishing attacks and digital fraud, advising them to adopt strong cyber hygiene practices, including the use of strong passwords and two-factor authentication.

Also speaking, the Comptroller of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Lagos State Command, George Daramola, described collaboration as the cornerstone of effective security management.

“When agencies work together, leveraging each other’s strengths, we create a united front that is far more formidable than isolated efforts,” he said.

The Lagos State Commander of the Nigeria Man O’ War, Ayodele Ajayi, commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the LSSTF leadership for their commitment to security development.

Similarly, the Commander of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Lagos State Command, Sesan Oguntunde, expressed optimism that enhanced cooperation among security agencies would significantly improve public safety.

At the first day of the programme, participants also attended a wellness session coordinated by Dr. Diya Alade Oluwadamola, Executive Director and Deputy Director (Clinical Services) of Anantis Pediatric and Multispecialist Hospital.

He emphasised the importance of healthy living for security personnel and provided practical guidance on nutrition, exercise, rest and general wellbeing.

The programme has grown into one of the most significant capacity-building initiatives for security personnel in Lagos, reflecting the commitment of the Lagos State Government and the LSSTF to strengthening operational effectiveness through knowledge acquisition, ethical leadership and institutional cooperation.