Road Safety Is Crucial to Security in Lagos – LSSTF ES/CEO, Ogunsan; Donates 100 Raincoats to FRSC, Urges Effectiveness of Road Officers
By Oki O. Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
Every secure city begins with safe roads. Beyond regulating traffic and reducing crashes, an effective road safety system serves as a critical component of national security by supporting emergency response, facilitating intelligence gathering, combating vehicle-related crimes, and ensuring the uninterrupted movement of people and commerce. In a megacity like Lagos, where millions of journeys begin and end on the road each day, strengthening the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is not merely a transportation support but a strategic investment in the broader security architecture of Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre.
It was against this backdrop that the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, paid a working visit to the Lagos Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ojodu, where he presented 100 raincoats to officers as part of ongoing efforts to improve their welfare and operational efficiency during the rainy season.
Speaking during the visit, Dr. Ogunsan commended the dedication of the FRSC to protecting lives on Lagos roads, describing the Corps as a vital partner within the state’s security ecosystem.
“Let me appreciate you and your entire team for your unwavering commitment to safeguarding the lives of road users in Lagos. We value the work you do, and the Lagos State Security Trust Fund remains committed to supporting agencies that make meaningful contributions to public safety,” he said.
The LSSTF CEO disclosed that the Fund’s monthly inter-agency capacity-building programme would continue through December and resume in January, reaffirming his commitment to continuous professional development for security personnel.
He, however, urged the Corps to strengthen intelligence collaboration with other security agencies, noting that FRSC officers are uniquely positioned to observe movements across the state’s highways.
“You see virtually every movement on our roads – the good, the bad and the ugly. That places the FRSC in a strategic position to support intelligence gathering. We want to work more closely with you to ensure that suspicious movements are promptly identified and shared because our collective goal is to keep Lagos safe and deny criminal elements any operating space.”
Dr. Ogunsan also encouraged the Sector Command to formally submit its operational requirements, assuring that the LSSTF would give urgent consideration to interventions capable of improving service delivery. “I want to give you all you need but I want to justify higher allocations to you to the board and donors,” he said.
Responding, the Lagos Sector Commander of the FRSC, Corps Commander Kehinde Hamzat, expressed profound appreciation to the Lagos State Government and the LSSTF for their consistent support. “The support we have received from the Lagos State Security Trust Fund has significantly improved our operational capacity. Since I assumed office, we have benefited from operational vehicles, officer training and now these raincoats. The impact has been remarkable, and even our headquarters has recognised the difference these interventions have made.”
The Sector Commander described the monthly LSSTF inter-agency training as transformational, noting that officers who participated returned with renewed professionalism and stronger collaboration with sister security agencies.
He also highlighted the FRSC’s expanding security contributions beyond road traffic management. “Road safety is closely linked to national security. We regularly provide intelligence that has assisted the Police, the DSS and other security agencies in tracking stolen vehicles and criminal suspects. Joint operations with other agencies have also led to the discovery of fake vehicle registration plates and other security breaches. With additional operational tools and stronger collaboration, we can contribute even more to securing Lagos.”
The visit reinforced the growing recognition that effective security extends beyond conventional law enforcement. By investing in agencies that protect critical public infrastructure and facilitate intelligence-driven operations, the Lagos State Government, through the LSSTF, continues to build an integrated security framework where collaboration, preparedness and officer welfare remain central to safeguarding lives, sustaining public confidence and preserving Lagos’ status as Nigeria’s safest and most economically vibrant state.
