Abayomi Susan
…Campaign to commence in Agege Local Government Area
The most sustainable approach to combating crime extends beyond arrests and prosecutions to proactive prevention that discourages individuals from engaging in criminal behaviour at its roots. Globally, governments are increasingly complementing traditional law enforcement with preventive strategies that address key social drivers of crime, including drug abuse, cultism, youth violence, and delinquency.
In Lagos State, this preventive approach is set to take centre stage as the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, under the leadership of Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, prepares to roll out a statewide youth advocacy campaign aimed at deterring young people from crime before they become involved. The initiative, implemented through the LSSTF Campaign Against Crime, Cultism and Other Vices (LSSTF-CACCOV), will begin in Agege Local Government Area before extending across all 57 LGAs and LCDAs in Lagos State. The campaign is structured as a non-kinetic, preventive intervention focused on promoting positive values, discouraging drug abuse, tackling cultism, and empowering youths as agents of peace and community development.
Speaking on the initiative, Dr. Ogunsan stressed that sustainable security requires a balance between enforcement and prevention. He noted that the LSSTF-CACCOV campaign adopts a community-driven model that equips young people with the knowledge, values, and opportunities needed to reject crime, cultism, and substance abuse before they are drawn into them.
He further explained that the programme will be delivered in collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Nigeria Police, NDLEA, the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, local government and LCDA chairmen, traditional rulers, faith-based organisations, community leaders, youth groups, schools, and other relevant partners.
According to him, effective crime prevention depends on shared responsibility. He emphasized that when government institutions, communities, families, and young people work together, they create an environment where crime is significantly reduced and less likely to thrive.
The initiative also aligns with the youth development agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, whose administration continues to invest in education, skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation, sports, and civic engagement to empower young people as active contributors to development.
LSSTF-CACCOV serves as the flagship community engagement platform of the LSSTF, designed to mobilise residents—particularly youths—as partners in public safety. Through advocacy, sensitisation, stakeholder engagement, volunteer mobilisation, and collaboration with security agencies, the initiative promotes civic responsibility, drug awareness, peaceful coexistence, and community resilience.
The statewide campaign will be coordinated by Dr. Moses Oladimeji, State Coordinator of LSSTF-CACCOV, who has led extensive grassroots advocacy across institutions and communities in Lagos. Under his leadership, the initiative has reached thousands of students and youths, raising awareness on cultism, drug abuse, cybercrime, sexual violence, and gang-related activities. At the 2026 Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) Freshers’ Orientation Programme, he urged new students to embrace discipline and purposeful living, citing Dr. Ogunsan’s life journey as evidence that success is determined more by choices than background.
