‘No Agency Can Win the Security Battle Alone …… Ogunsan Urges Stronger Collaboration as LSSTF Trains Security Operatives, Honours Fallen DCP Salihu
The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, has stressed the urgent need for stronger collaboration among security agencies, declaring that no single institution can effectively tackle the increasingly complex security threats facing the nation.
Ogunsan made the call during the fourth edition of the LSSTF Statewide Inter-Agency Training Programme held in Lagos on June 17 and 18, 2026, where security personnel from multiple agencies gathered to enhance professional competence, ethical conduct, intelligence sharing, and operational cooperation.
The training brought together officers and personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Man O’ War, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA), Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army, Lagos State Fire Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), among others.
Delivering the welcome address on behalf of Ogunsan, the Director of Administration, Mr. Adegbola Lewis, noted that the sophistication of modern security threats requires deeper cooperation among agencies and continuous investment in personnel development.
“One of the key objectives of this training is to deepen inter-agency understanding and cooperation,” Ogunsan stated.
He emphasized that security challenges often transcend the mandates of individual agencies, making trust, information sharing, and coordinated responses essential to operational success.
“No single agency, regardless of its capabilities, can effectively address every security challenge alone. Success in modern security operations depends largely on timely information sharing, mutual trust, coordinated responses, and a clear understanding of each agency’s roles and responsibilities,” he said.
According to him, many security successes recorded in recent years have been achieved through collaborative efforts, adding that citizens increasingly expect security institutions to proactively prevent threats through intelligence-led operations.
He urged participants to actively engage in the training and transfer the knowledge gained to colleagues within their various organizations.
Emotional Tribute to DCP Khan Salihu
A defining moment of the opening ceremony was the solemn tribute paid to the late Deputy Commissioner of Police, Finance and Administration, Lagos State Command, DCP Khan Salihu, who passed away just days before the event and was originally scheduled to speak at the programme.
Leading the tribute, Lewis described the late officer’s death as a painful loss to the entire security community in Lagos, noting that his distinguished service deserved recognition.
Participants observed a one-minute silence in honour of DCP Salihu and other fallen security heroes, creating an emotional atmosphere as attendees reflected on their sacrifices and contributions to public safety.
Training Builds Bridges Across Agencies
Representing the Chairman of the LSSTF Board of Trustees, Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG Agboola Oshodi-Glover, described the programme as a strategic platform for strengthening relationships among security institutions.
He congratulated participants on their selection and encouraged them to see the exercise as both a professional development opportunity and a bridge-building initiative.
“Law enforcement has become increasingly challenging due to banditry, land grabbing, and unusual migration patterns. You must therefore equip yourselves and remain prepared,” he said.
The retired police chief also charged participants to uphold integrity, professionalism, courage, compassion, democratic policing principles, and anti-corruption values.
“This programme should serve as a train-the-trainer course. When you return to your organizations, ensure your colleagues also benefit from what you have learned,” he added.
Lagos Must Stay Ahead of Emerging Threats
Representing the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Fatai Tijani, ACP Oluwatoyin Kazeem, who heads the Gender Unit of the command, described the training theme, “Enhancing Professional Capacity, Ethical Standards and Inter-Agency Collaboration for Effective Security Operations,” as timely and strategic.
She highlighted the growing threats posed by cybercrime, cult-related violence, organized criminal activities, and other security challenges confronting a rapidly expanding megacity like Lagos.
“As the city gets smarter, our response must get smarter too. Continuous training, modern tools, and intelligence-driven policing are how we stay ahead of emerging crime trends,” she said.
Cybersecurity, Intelligence Sharing Take Centre Stage
General Manager of Globus Training and Advisory Limited, Mr. Desmond Nnebue, emphasized the importance of intelligence gathering, information sharing, and cybersecurity awareness in modern security operations.
“The officer from the next agency is a partner, not a competitor. When agencies trust one another enough to share information, our response becomes faster and significantly more effective,” he stated.
Nnebue also warned participants about phishing scams and digital fraud, noting that many cyber incidents stem from deception rather than sophisticated hacking techniques.
“No genuine bank or government agency will ask for your PIN, password, or one-time verification code. Whenever a message creates panic and urgency, slow down. That urgency is often the trick,” he cautioned.
Stakeholders Applaud Collaborative Security Approach
The Comptroller of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Lagos State Command, Mr. George Daramola, described collaboration as the foundation of effective security management.
“When agencies work together and leverage one another’s strengths, we create a united front that is far more formidable than isolated efforts,” he said.
Similarly, Lagos State Commander of Man O’ War, Mr. Ayodele Ajayi, commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the LSSTF for their proactive approach to security.
“No agency can tackle security challenges alone. Through collaboration, we gain stronger manpower and greater capacity to keep Lagos safe,” he remarked.
The Commander of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Lagos State Command, Mr. Sesan Oguntunde, echoed similar sentiments, expressing confidence that enhanced cooperation between formal and community-based security organizations would improve public safety across the state.
Wellness Session Highlights Need to Protect the Protectors
The first day of the training also featured a practical wellness session led by Dr. Diya Alade Oluwadamola, Executive Director and Deputy Director (Clinical Services) at Anantis Pediatric and Multispecialist Hospital, popularly known as “Celebrity Doctor.”
Dr. Oluwadamola reminded participants that those who protect society must also prioritize their own health and well-being, offering practical guidance on nutrition, exercise, rest, and healthy lifestyle habits.
His session received enthusiastic applause from security personnel in attendance.
The LSSTF Statewide Inter-Agency Training Programme has continued to grow into one of Lagos State’s most impactful capacity-building initiatives for security personnel, reflecting the commitment of the Lagos State Government and the LSSTF to strengthening security through professionalism, ethical leadership, knowledge sharing, and institutional collaboration in Nigeria’s commercial capital.