LSSTF Boosts Crime-Fighting Capacity with Tactical Gear Donation to FCID Alagbon, Ogunsan Demands Measurable Security Results
• AIG Akpanudom lauds LSSTF’s training initiatives as Fund donates 50 bulletproof vests, ballistic helmets and strike plates
As criminal networks become more sophisticated, the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) has reaffirmed that investment in security must produce visible and measurable results, pledging sustained support for agencies driving intelligence-led policing and criminal investigations across Lagos State.
The commitment was underscored when the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of LSSTF, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, received the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, AIG Simeon Udofia Akpanudom, and his management team on a courtesy visit to the Fund’s headquarters in Lagos.
As part of the visit, the LSSTF presented 50 bulletproof vests, 50 ballistic helmets and 50 strike plates to the Force CID Annex, further strengthening the operational capacity of officers engaged in combating organised crime, cybercrime, forensic investigations and other complex criminal activities.
Welcoming the delegation, Dr. Ogunsan described the visit as a landmark engagement that reflected the enduring partnership between the Lagos State Security Trust Fund and the Nigeria Police Force.
He noted that although the Fund operates from a modest office, it has remained one of the major pillars supporting security operations in Lagos for nearly two decades through the provision of patrol vehicles, operational logistics, specialised equipment and continuous professional training.
According to him, LSSTF has deliberately prioritised investment in security infrastructure over administrative comfort, ensuring that donor contributions directly enhance the effectiveness of security agencies protecting lives and property across the state.
Dr. Ogunsan also announced that the Fund would relocate to its permanent headquarters in October, describing the move as another milestone made possible through the support of corporate organisations, financial institutions and public-spirited Nigerians.
“We have often been described as a small body with a big engine. By October, we will become a mega body with a mega engine as we move into our permanent office after nearly 18 years,” he said.
Reaffirming LSSTF’s philosophy of performance-based support, Ogunsan stressed that the Fund would continue investing in agencies that demonstrate professionalism, accountability and measurable security outcomes.
“Our responsibility is to invest donor resources where they will produce tangible security results. Agencies that consistently deliver on their mandate will always find a willing partner in the Lagos State Security Trust Fund,” he said.
He explained that every intervention by the Fund is guided by impact rather than sentiment, adding that intelligence-led policing, forensic investigations and improved criminal intelligence remain critical to safeguarding Lagos.
Ogunsan assured the Force CID leadership that its operational requests would receive prompt consideration, particularly urgent needs capable of strengthening security operations across the state.
He further highlighted LSSTF’s unique funding structure, noting that the organisation survives largely on voluntary contributions from corporate organisations, financial institutions, market associations and individual Nigerians who recognise that security is a collective responsibility.
“Our greatest strength is the confidence of our donors. From banks and insurance companies to market women, students and ordinary Nigerians, people continue to invest in peace because they understand that security is everyone’s responsibility,” he stated.
Earlier, AIG Akpanudom, who led a high-powered delegation of Commissioners of Police and senior officers from specialised investigative departments, described the visit as an opportunity to appreciate the longstanding partnership between the Nigeria Police Force and the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.
The delegation included heads of the Human Trafficking, INTERPOL, SWAT, Homicide, Police Special Fraud Unit, General Investigation, Special Enquiry Bureau, Forensic, Anti-Fraud and other specialised departments.
Commending LSSTF’s contribution to capacity building, the AIG described the Fund’s monthly statewide security training programmes as invaluable to officers across various formations.
“The monthly statewide trainings facilitated by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund have greatly enhanced the knowledge and operational competence of our personnel. Officers who attend return to share what they have learnt with colleagues across departments,” he said.
He appealed for an increase in the number of training slots allocated to the Force CID, noting that broader participation would further strengthen specialised investigations and improve operational efficiency among its more than 600 personnel.
AIG Akpanudom reaffirmed the Force CID’s commitment to deeper collaboration with the Lagos State Government in tackling emerging security threats through intelligence-driven investigations, technology and professional policing.
He also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji R. Disu, for their confidence in the leadership of the Force CID Annex.
The visit ended with the presentation of a commemorative plaque to Dr. Ogunsan in recognition of the enduring partnership between the Lagos State Security Trust Fund and the Nigeria Police Force, reinforcing their shared commitment to strengthening security and justice delivery in Lagos.
With criminal threats becoming increasingly complex, both institutions reiterated that sustained investment in intelligence, technology, specialised training and strategic collaboration remains essential to keeping Lagos safe and secure.