By Esther Onyegbula

In a renewed push to strengthen security coordination and professionalism, the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) on Tuesday commenced the second batch of its statewide multi-agency training programme for security operatives, as part of efforts to build a more responsive and intelligence-driven security architecture.

The two-day training, holding April 22 and 23, 2026, follows the inaugural session conducted last month and is part of a broader plan to train over 1,000 personnel drawn from security and law enforcement agencies across the state.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Executive Secretary/CEO of LSSTF, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, said the initiative was designed to dismantle institutional silos and enhance collaboration among agencies.

“This training programme was carefully designed to achieve key inter-agency objectives. It is intended to strengthen operational cooperation among participating agencies, improve communication and information sharing, build mutual understanding of institutional mandates, and promote coordinated responses to security incidents across the state,” Ogunsan said.

“In today’s security environment, no single agency can work effectively in isolation. Success depends on collaboration, trust, and the ability to act together in the interest of public safety,” he added.

The programme, themed “Enhancing Professional Capacity, Ethical Standards and Inter-Agency Collaboration for Effective Security Operations,” brings together operatives from the Lagos State Police Command, OP Mesa, Nigerian Air Force, Force CID Annex Alagbon, Special Protection Unit (SPU), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Rapid Response Squad (RRS), among others.

Ogunsan urged participants to maximise the opportunity, stressing that such trainings should be seen as strategic investments rather than routine exercises.

“I therefore urge all participants to take full advantage of this valuable opportunity. Engage actively with the facilitators, share experiences with colleagues from sister agencies, and acquire the practical knowledge that will enhance your personal effectiveness and improve collective service delivery,” he said.

He warned that agencies that fail to utilise such opportunities effectively risk losing future training allocations, underscoring the Fund’s focus on accountability and impact.

Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Fatai Tijani, described the programme as timely.

“This training programme is highly commendable because it recognises that security is not sustained by equipment alone but by quality, disciplined mindset of personnel entrusted with protecting lives and properties,” he stated.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, a Board Member representing the Advisory Board Chairman of LSSTF, DIG Agboola Oshodi Glover (retd), emphasised discipline and attentiveness.

“This is a very special training that we are organizing for you. It is the second set that we are having and I hope you will put all your attention into what is being taught because you will need it in your service,” he said.

Highlighting the importance of inter-agency synergy, the Commander of 651 Base Services Group, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Muhammed Imam, likened collaboration to a broomstick.

“It is very easy to bend and break a single broomstick but not a whole broom. We are here to learn as security agencies because in the security and intelligence terrain every hour that passes without structured inter-agency training, coordinated intelligence sharing, and without deliberate community trust building is an hour gifted to criminal elements,” he said.

On his part, the General Manager of LNSA, Dr. Ifalade Oyekan, stressed the agency’s grassroots intelligence network.

“For every five homes you have in Lagos State, you will see a neighbourhood officer to show that we are grassrooted. LNSA is community-based and supports the Nigeria Police and other law enforcement agencies. The CP can attest to the amount of intelligence gathering that we have been doing over the years,” he said.

Similarly, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, noted that the training would enhance operational efficiency.

“This training is not just for knowledge sharing. It is an opportunity to sharpen the skills that will enable officers to respond to threats, handle emergencies, and maintain safety. It is also about understanding the latest techniques and applying them to meet the dynamics of the state,” he said.

A key highlight of the event was the presentation of the LSSTF Campaign Against Crime, Cultism and Other Vices (CACCOV) initiative, aimed at complementing enforcement efforts through preventive engagement.

“Our aim is to disabuse the minds of people against criminality. I am sure that they will get results which will reduce the pressure on the security agencies,” Ogunsan explained.

The training sessions are being facilitated by Prof. Oka Obono and Dr. Diya Ololade, with focus on enhancing professional capacity, ethical standards, and inter-agency collaboration among operatives.