Sanwo-Olu Calls for Stronger Citizen–Government Partnership to Tackle Security Challenges

By Bilkis Abdulraheem Lawal

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed that safeguarding lives and property is a shared responsibility between the government and residents, emphasising the need for renewed collective strategies to confront emerging security threats across the state.

Speaking at the 19th Annual Town Hall Meeting on Security, organised by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) in Victoria Island, Governor Sanwo-Olu restated his administration’s commitment to deeper collaboration with the Federal Government and security agencies to ensure a safer, crime-free Lagos.

The event centred on the theme, “Building Trust, Enhancing Security: A New Era of Security and Partnerships.”

The Governor noted that every investment in security translates into investment in peace, stability and economic progress.

Executive Secretary of the LSSTF, Dr Ayodele Ogunsan, attributed Lagos’ relative safety to the Governor’s consistent support for the state’s security architecture.

Mr Ogunsan highlighted several achievements in the year under review, including the procurement of patrol vehicles, infrastructure upgrades and extensive human capacity development.

In his welcome address, Chairman of the LSSTF Board of Trustees, Mr Kehinde Durosimi-Etti, applauded past donors and emphasised that trust remains the backbone of any effective security system.

Mr Durosimi-Etti urged individuals, corporate organisations, private institutions, students and youths to contribute to the Fund to strengthen security in Lagos and across Nigeria.

Presenting crime statistics recorded between October 2024 and September 2025, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos Command, Mr Jimoh Olohundare, revealed that the state recorded 152 murder cases, arrested 9,275 miscreants and recovered 518 rounds of ammunition within the period.

A major highlight of the event was the presentation of the Award of Gallantry to the Commissioner of Police Special Squad One for foiling a kidnap attempt and neutralising nine kidnappers in the Ladipo area in July last year. In addition, one hundred new security vehicles were handed over to security operatives.

The Town Hall Meeting drew attendance from heads of security agencies, financial institutions, private organisations, students, traditional rulers and religious leaders.