LSSTF Donates 28-Seater Bus, 60 Raincoats to Nigeria Immigration Service to Strengthen Lagos Border Security • as NIS Repatriates 128 illegal immigrants within 2 weeks
By Oki O. Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
In Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre and West Africa’s economic hub, thousands of people arrive daily but a far lesser number return, making migration management an indispensable pillar for the state’s wider security architecture. Thus, protecting Lagos State must begin with effective border management, orderly migration, and increased capacity of security agencies to identify, monitor and respond swiftly to irregular movements of persons capable of undermining public safety.
It is against this backdrop that the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), under the leadership of the Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan continues to invest strategically in agencies whose responsibilities directly contribute to keeping Lagos safe. Reinforcing its commitment to a collaborative security ecosystem, the Fund on Tuesday 14th July donated a 28-seater coaster bus and 60 raincoat jackets to the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Lagos State Command. This is expected to enhance operational mobility and improve personnel welfare.
At the brief presentation ceremony, the Executive Secretary/CEO of LSSTF, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, commended the Nigerian Immigration Service for its unwavering commitment to safeguarding Lagos through effective migration management and border security. “Let me specially appreciate the Nigerian Immigration Service, Lagos Command, for believing in Lagos and for doing your best to ensure our state remains safe. Whoever is committed to keeping Lagos secure will always find a dependable partner in the Lagos State Security Trust Fund,” Ogunsan said.
“To whom much is given, much is expected. I am encouraged by your commitment to scale up operations for a safer Lagos, and I assure you that we will continue to support the Nigerian Immigration Service in every way possible,” he added.
He attributed the intervention to the visionary leadership of the Executive Governor, Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, while also acknowledging the invaluable contributions of the Fund’s donors, Board of Trustees and Lagos residents whose support continues to sustain the LSSTF’s security interventions. “I want to specially thank Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for making this possible, alongside our donors, our Board of Trustees and Lagosians who continue to invest in the security of our state.”
Ogunsan also conveyed the appreciation of the Lagos security community to the Comptroller General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, for her leadership of the Service nationwide.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the Comptroller General, the Comptroller of Immigration, Lagos State Command, Comptroller Christopher Olu Onajinrin, described the intervention as timely and strategic, noting that it would significantly strengthen the Command’s operational capabilities. “We sincerely appreciate Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Tayo Ayinde, the Lagos State Security Trust Fund and the CEO, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan for this generous support. I assure Lagosians that these resources will be deployed in their best interest. As the lead agency in migration and border management, we are determined to intensify our operations against irregular migration so that residents can continue to sleep with both eyes closed.”
Highlighting recent operational successes, Onajinrin disclosed that the Command had intensified the removal of irregular migrants from the state. “Within the last two weeks alone, we repatriated 128 irregular migrants, including nationals of Cameroon, Chad and Burkina Faso. With this new coaster bus, we will further scale up our operations, reduce logistics costs, improve response time and strengthen our migration management responsibilities across Lagos State.”
He explained that repatriation exercises often require substantial logistics, particularly transportation, making the newly donated vehicle a major boost to the Command’s enforcement operations and personnel deployment.
The donation underscores the Lagos State Government’s broader strategy of strengthening every component of the state’s security architecture through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund. Beyond providing equipment, the intervention reflects a deliberate investment in institutions that protect the integrity of Nigeria’s borders, support lawful migration and prevent security threats before they take root.
