LSSTF deploys 80 patrol vehicles, plans aerial surveillance to boost Lagos security
The Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) has added 80 operational and patrol vehicles to the state’s security infrastructure to enhance rapid response capability and improve security visibility across Lagos.
The Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) has added 80 operational and patrol vehicles to the state’s security infrastructure to enhance rapid response capability and improve security visibility across Lagos.
The Fund also unveiled plans to introduce aerial surveillance in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Police Airwing, including the deployment of drones. It further disclosed arrangements to renovate 30 police stations across the state through support from private donors.
Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the LSSTF, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan, made the disclosures at a press conference held at the Fund’s office to mark his first 100 days in office.
He said the initiatives form part of a broader strategy to strengthen operational capacity, promote accountability, and reinforce public trust in the management of security funding.
Ogunsan added that more patrol vehicles are expected in subsequent phases, noting that the current deployment is designed to improve response time and overall operational efficiency statewide.
He said, “In my first 100 days in office, my immediate focus was on strengthening the financial base of the Fund through strategic fundraising and stakeholder engagement. We introduced new fundraising channels, including crowdfunding initiatives, while also intensifying engagement with private sector organisations, public institutions, and individuals who share our vision of a safer Lagos.
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“One of the major highlights of this period was the successful organisation of a high-level fundraising breakfast meeting, which brought together key public and private sector stakeholders. This engagement further reinforced the shared responsibility of security and strengthened confidence in the work of the Fund. I am pleased to report that within this period, we recorded several important achievements.
“We successfully revived retail donation channels to encourage broader public participation in supporting security initiatives. We introduced the LSSTF Monitoring Team to ensure proper tracking, accountability, and maintenance of assets provided for security agencies. We injected an additional 80 operational and patrol vehicles into the Lagos security space to strengthen rapid response and visibility, and more are still on their way.
“We secured a sole donor to build a permanent office complex for the Fund, which will further enhance coordination, efficiency, and service delivery. The construction of the building has commenced, and it should be delivered by October this year."
He explained that the monitoring team operates across land and waterways, inspecting patrol vehicles, gunboats, and other security assets to ensure they are deployed strictly for their intended purposes.
According to him, the initiative has improved compliance among beneficiary agencies and strengthened asset management.
He added that the agency has commenced statewide repairs and restoration of abandoned Armoured Personnel Carriers, returning them to operational use to support security operations.
On police infrastructure, the Fund said it had secured the commitment of a private donor to renovate 30 police stations in phases, beginning with 10 stations, to improve working conditions for officers and service delivery to the public.
The LSSTF boss noted that its crowdfunding initiative had recorded increased public participation, with donations from students, market women, and other residents generating close to N40 million within weeks.
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Dr. Ogunsan said the Fund had also supported campus security by donating patrol vehicles to state-owned tertiary institutions, including Lagos State University, Lagos State University of Science and Technology, and Lagos State University of Education, Ijanikin, adding that federal institutions would benefit as more donations were received.
"In the next 100 days, the Fund will deepen its operational impact across several key priority areas.
We will commence statewide training programmes for security agencies, ensuring that officers across the State are equipped with modern knowledge, tactical skills, and professional standards required for effective service delivery.
We will also procure more security equipment and operational accessories to further strengthen the capacity of security agencies to respond swiftly and effectively to emerging threats.
The Fund will work towards signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigeria Police Airwing to support aerial surveillance across Lagos State. This will include the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVS) as known as drones, which will significantly enhance intelligence gathering, rapid response capability, and coordinated security operations.
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In addition, the Fund will roll out statewide public enlightenment and sensitisation campaigns against crime and other social vices, aimed at strengthening community participation in security and promoting responsible civic behaviour.
We will also collaborate with the Police and the Ministry of Basic Education in Lagos State to establish Safer School Patrol initiatives, designed to improve security presence around schools and enhance the safety of students, teachers, and school communities.
Furthermore, the Fund will intensify efforts to bring more Lagosians into the security funding net, encouraging wider public participation and ownership of security support initiatives across the State.
We believe that these strategic actions will significantly improve professionalism, enhance service delivery, strengthen operational effectiveness, and ensure better management and administration of assets provided by the Fund", he added.
He reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and partnership with government, the private sector, and residents to sustain a safe and secure Lagos.
