DIG Fayoade, Ogunsan Assure Lagosians, Southwest Residents of Safety, as Technology Set to Dominate Security Architecture • DIG Southwest Pays Working Visits to LSSTF
By Oki O. Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
As security concerns continue to evolve across different parts of Nigeria, technology-driven security solutions, intelligence-led policing, and inter-agency collaboration have been identified as the most sustainable pathways to public safety and security. This formed the backdrop of conversations as the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) on Monday, 22nd June hosted the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Southwest geopolitical zone, DIG Adegoke Mustapha Fayoade, during his working tour of the six states of the South-West geopolitical zone. The visit provided a strategic platform for critical discussions on emerging security threats, the need to prevent criminal infiltration into the South-West, and the imperative of strengthening the capacity of security agencies through modern technology and enhanced collaboration. At the centre of the conversations was a shared commitment to ensuring that Lagos remains more secure while serving as a model for innovative policing and intelligence gathering in Nigeria.
Speaking during the visit, DIG Fayoade underscored the strategic importance of Lagos to national stability, stressing that the security of the state cannot be separated from the security of Nigeria as a whole.
“If the security of Lagos is not solid, the security of Nigeria is in trouble,” he said. “But once Lagos remains stable and secure, it contributes significantly to national peace and economic prosperity.”
The senior police officer expressed confidence in the efforts of the Lagos State Government, the LSSTF and security agencies operating within the state, noting that their collective commitment had continued to keep Lagos ahead of many security challenges confronting other parts of the country.
“The security situation in Lagos is intact, but we need to become more scientific in our approach,” Fayoade said. “We need to bring in more technology. We need more modern equipment and systems that improve accountability, transparency and operational effectiveness.”
He specifically advocated the deployment of body-worn cameras for police officers, explaining that such technology would help document police activities in the field, protect officers against false accusations and strengthen public confidence in law enforcement. “We need equipment such as body cameras that can provide transparency and accountability whenever officers are on patrol. Their activities will be recorded, ensuring professionalism and building trust between the police and the public,” he stated.
Fayoade also emphasized the importance of aligning policing standards in Nigeria with global best practices, noting that technology would play a critical role in future security management.
“We need to ensure that our policing methods are in tune with what is obtainable in other parts of the world. Lagos has always been at the forefront of innovation and I am confident it will continue to lead in this regard,” he said.
The DIG further commended the Lagos State Security Trust Fund for its consistent support to the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, describing the intervention of the Fund over the years as a critical factor in strengthening security operations across Lagos State.
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary/CEO of LSSTF, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, lauded the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu for directing senior police officers to return to their operational zones to reassess and strengthen security strategies in response to emerging threats across the country.
“Thank you so much for taking out the time to be here. The timely intervention of the Inspector-General of Police is highly commendable for all DIGs to go back to their zones to rejig the whole security architecture and then find a way to provide a lasting solution to all these ugly things that are raising their heads,” Ogunsan said.
While noting that the South-West remains relatively peaceful, he stressed the importance of vigilance and proactive measures to prevent criminal elements from gaining a foothold in the region.
“For us in this part of the nation, we are relaxed but we are trying to prevent any kind of infiltration here. Looking at the present arrangement, we are having a joint task force between the various states. We have seen you move around to Ekiti, Oyo and Ondo; we want you to keep awake for Lagos and keep awake for the South-West. We must not allow anything negative creep into our zone,” he said.
Ogunsan disclosed that Lagos State was intensifying its investment in security technology as part of a broader strategy to improve crime prevention, intelligence gathering and operational response.
“We are migrating to technology. Before the end of the year, you will see it in reality. We have drone operations now going on effectively in Lagos. We have aerial surveillance through helicopters, and we are still doing more patrols to discover criminal hideouts,” he stated.
According to him, the state government remains committed to leveraging innovation to enhance public safety and support law enforcement agencies.
“I promise you that the investment in technology by the Lagos State Government under Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on security is ongoing and you will see it very clearly before the end of the year. This will make the work of the police more effective,” he added.
The LSSTF CEO also highlighted the role of intelligence gathering and citizen participation in strengthening security management, revealing that the Fund operates an intelligence unit designed to complement police operations and encourage feedback from residents.
“We have an Intelligence Unit here at LSSTF. It allows Lagosians to report back to us. The police have theirs, but ours is designed to support them. People can get back to us, and there is also a mechanism through which they can provide feedback on service delivery,” he explained.
Ogunsan further commended security agencies in Lagos for recent operational successes and praised the leadership of the state police command for maintaining public confidence through effective responses to security incidents. “Your good deeds are helping us in LSSTF. We have seen improvement because of the great work you are doing. When we ask people to support security interventions, they are doing so because they can see the results. Your police officers in Lagos are doing well,” he said.
The discussions during the visit reflected a growing consensus among security stakeholders that the future of policing lies in intelligence-driven operations, advanced surveillance systems, inter-agency collaboration and community participation.
Present during the visit include the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Zone 2, AIG Olohundare Moshood Jimoh; Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Fatai Tijani and other senior officers from the Lagos Police Command, the LSSTF Director of Administration, Mr. Adegbola Lewis, LSSTF Executive Assistant, Mrs. Adaobi Nwankwo among others.
