Picnews

In a strategic continuation of its drive to institutionalise professionalism and coordination within Lagos’ complex security ecosystem, the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) has commenced the second batch of its statewide multi-agency training programme for security operatives, reinforcing a long-term vision to build a more responsive, intelligence-driven, and ethically grounded security architecture.

Coming on the heels of the inaugural session held last month, which saw the first set of operatives trained under the initiative, the second edition which is holding today April 22 and April 23, 2026 further advances the Fund’s commitment to training over 1,000 personnel across security and law enforcement agencies operating in the state.

The programme, themed “Enhancing Professional Capacity, Ethical Standards and Inter-Agency Collaboration for Effective Security Operations,” reflects a deliberate shift from conventional, reactive approaches to a more integrated model of security management that prioritises knowledge, synergy, and proactive engagement.

Participants at this second batch were drawn from a wide cross-section of agencies, underscoring the programme’s multi-agency depth. These include the Lagos State Police Command, OP Mesa, Nigerian Air Force, Force CID Annex Alagbon, Special Protection Unit (SPU) from the Governor’s Office, Western Ports Authority Police Command, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Immigration Service (Lagos Command), Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), Nigerian Correctional Services, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Rapid Response Squad (RRS), as well as the Lagos State Security Trust Fund Campaign Against Crime, Cultism and Other Vices, LSSTF-CACCOV Team, among others.

In his brief welcome remarks, the Board Member representing the Advisory Board Chairman of LSSTF, DIG Agboola Oshodi Glover (retd), underscored the importance of attentiveness and discipline. “This is a very special training that we are organizing for you. It is the second set that we are having and I hope you will put all your attention into what is being taught because you will need it in your service,” he said.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Executive Secretary/CEO of LSSTF, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, emphasised the centrality of collaboration in modern security operations, noting that the initiative was carefully designed to break institutional silos and improve operational outcomes.

“This training programme was carefully designed to achieve key inter-agency objectives. It is intended to strengthen operational cooperation among participating agencies, improve communication and information sharing, build mutual understanding of institutional mandates, and promote coordinated responses to security incidents across the State. In today’s security environment, no single agency can work effectively in isolation. Success depends on collaboration, trust, and the ability to act together in the interest of public safety,” he said.

Ogunsan also underscored the importance of commitment and discipline among participants, stressing that training opportunities must be treated as strategic investments rather than routine exercises.

“I therefore urge all participants to take full advantage of this valuable opportunity. Engage actively with the facilitators, share experiences with colleagues from sister agencies, and acquire the practical knowledge that will enhance your personal effectiveness and improve collective service delivery. The lessons gained here should translate into stronger professionalism and better coordination in the field,” he added.

In a firm but forward-looking note, the LSSTF boss warned that agencies that fail to maximise such opportunities risk losing future training allocations, reiterating the Fund’s resolve to prioritise impact and accountability.

A key highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the LSSTF-CACCOV initiative to participating agencies by Dr. Ogunsan. Explaining its strategic intent, he noted that the programme is designed to complement enforcement efforts through preventive engagement. “Our aim is to disabuse the minds of people against criminality. They will preach the consequences of committing crimes, getting involved in cultism, and other social vices. I am sure that they will get results which will reduce the pressure on the security agencies,” he said.

Also addressing participants, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Fatai Tijani, described the initiative as timely and essential in the face of Lagos’ evolving security realities.
“This training programme is highly commendable because it recognises that security is not sustained by equipment alone but by quality, disciplined mindset of personnel entrusted with protecting lives and properties,” he stated.

Other leaders of stakeholder security agencies at the event reinforced the importance of collaboration, community intelligence, and continuous capacity building.

The Commander of 651 Base Services Group, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Muhammed Imam, who doubles as the Commander of the Air Component, OP Mesa, drew a powerful analogy to emphasise unity. “It is very easy to bend and break a single broomstick but not a whole broom. We are here to learn as security agencies because in the security and intelligence terrain every hour that passes without structured inter-agency training, coordinated intelligence sharing, and without deliberate community trust building is an hour gifted to criminal elements, which we will not do, hence the essence of this training,” he stated.

Similarly, the General Manager of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency, Dr. Ifalade Oyekan, highlighted the agency’s grassroots reach and intelligence capabilities. “For every five homes you have in Lagos State, you will see a neighbourhood officer to show that we are grassrooted and we have to tap into that. LNSA is community-based, came into operation in 2016 with the task that we should support the Nigeria Police and every other law enforcement agencies, maybe federal, state or local. The CP can attest to the amount of intelligence gathering that we have been doing over the years,” he said.

Also lending his voice, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, stressed the practical value of the training. “This training is not just for knowledge sharing. It is an opportunity to sharpen the skills that will enable officers to respond to threats, to handle emergencies, and to maintain a sense of safety in the environment around you. It is also about understanding the latest techniques, technologies, and strategies and applying them in ways that will meet the dynamics of the state,” he noted.

The training programme proper was conducted by two facilitators which includes Prof. Oka Obono and Dr. Diya Ololade.