The records released by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) on Tuesday, December 12, indictes that there has been no recorded bank robbery in Lagos state over the past four years.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said this was made possible due to the continuous improvement and review of the state’s security architecture, as well as the consistent surveillance to nip organised crimes in the bud.
The governor spoke at the 17th Town Hall on security, organised by the LSSTF, where stakeholders in the security circle, citizens and private sector donors met to evaluate issues relating to safety in Lagos between October 2022 and September 2023.
There were however 189 cases of home robberies, 172 of which were foiled by security operatives, and 257 suspects arrested.
The governor praised the police and sister agencies for their collaborative efforts towards combating crime in the city, saying the state has built a stabilised security landscape compared to other parts of the country.
He, however, said more challenges lie ahead to overcome.
According to the governor, the government, through the LSSTF, had consistently funded security operations to ensure quick response to threats and crimes.
He said: “The government also provided operational vehicles and equipment to enhance the capacity of operatives.”
These interventions, the governor said, improved the frequency of responses, which ‘resulted in the unprecedented progress in the annal of policing in the state’.
He said: “We convene here today to discuss and evaluate the trajectory of our collective effort to bolster security in Lagos. Our discussion centres around the convergence of security strategies, which is an integral component of our THEMES+ agenda.
“Our administration recognises security as a multifaceted challenge and we promise to continue to pursue policies and actions that will foster the well-being of all Lagosians, while we keep faith with our pledge to building a secure, and inclusive community.
“LSSTF, fueled by voluntary donations, has significantly strengthened our security architecture, providing essential vehicles and equipment. While challenges still persist, our state’s security landscape is notably more stable than many other parts of the country.
“We have equipped and strengthened co-operation among various safety and security agencies; our collaboration with armed security agencies through the Lagos State Security Council remains crucial in acknowledging the sacrifices made by officers and men to ensure our safety.”
Sanwo-Olu pledged that 2024 would kick off with new security measures, adding that his administration would be raising the fleet of patrol vehicles for security agencies by 300 units.
This, he said, will be done in collaboration with local government authorities.
The governor also said the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) has been repositioned to gather actionable intelligence to complement efforts by the security agencies, adding that the state’s emergency call centre was undergoing operational restructuring for enhanced intelligence reporting.
“To address critical needs, the government, in collaboration with local authorities, will provide 300 patrol vehicles through the LSSTF at the beginning of next year.
“We have repositioned the neighbourhood safety agency to gather actionable intelligence to support security responses.”
The governor also personally led the donation drive to LSSTF, raising N2 billion voluntary contributions to the trust fund at the event.
Oil mogul and businessman Femi Otedola pledged N1 billion to the Fund, just as other donors gave their words.
Acting Commissioner of Police, Waheed Ayilara, said 103 firearms, 324 assorted ammunition and 279 dangerous weapons were recovered during the year.
He added that 158 cases of murder were recorded, with the incidents resulting in the death of 163 victims. Also, 18 kidnapping suspects were arrested in connection with eight incidents.
The police boss also raised alarm on the rising cases of domestic violence and abuse, noting that 256 cases of gender related violence were recorded with 333 suspects in custody.
Executive Secretary of the LSSTF, Dr. AbdurRazaq Balogun, said the Lagos State Police Command only received nine patrol vehicles from the federal government within two years, stressing that the fund used donations it received in the last 10 months to bridge the equipment shortfall within federally-controlled security agencies operating in Lagos.
Lagos, Balogun added, remains the only state with 28 functioning bullet-proof vehicles, with three vehicles’ armored features being replaced every five years.
He said: “The Fund received N318.75 million in cash donations and two vehicles in 2023. We continue to thank our donors as their partnership is ar-reaching and critical to the success of our activities.”
LSSTF BOT chairman, Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, said though economic situation in the country had affected donations to the Fund, the agency surpassed its revenue target by 94 per cent.
“The unstable economic climate largely influenced by increasing foreign exchange rates has been a major challenge to fundraising. This makes the donation drive even more pertinent for us especially, as there is no alternative to collective funding model given, the indication that the Government cannot do it alone.”