Chiemelie Ezeobi
To strengthen operational capacity and support security efforts across Lagos State, particularly ahead of the forthcoming election, the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) has donated 50 ballistic helmets, 50 bulletproof vests and 100 raincoats to the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT.
The Executive Secretary of the LSSTF, Dr Ayodele Ogunsan, inspected the donation on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, during a courtesy visit to the Commander of NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams Aliu.
Ogunsan said the visit was part of the Trust Fund’s regular engagement with security agencies in Lagos to assess their operational needs, boost personnel morale and identify areas requiring intervention.
He said the LSSTF remained committed to supporting recognised security agencies operating in the state by providing critical equipment and resources needed to protect lives and property.
According to him, the intervention was particularly important as the country approaches another sensitive electoral period, with the Trust Fund working to ensure that security agencies are adequately equipped to maintain law and order.
Ogunsan assured Lagos residents that security agencies would be properly supported to provide effective policing during the elections, particularly in areas identified as potentially volatile.
He said additional funding would be accessed and deployed to areas where security needs were considered insufficient, adding that efforts were already underway to strengthen the operational capacity of security personnel.
He said the state’s security architecture would continue to receive attention, while agencies responsible for civic and voter education would handle public enlightenment on elections and other related matters.
Ogunsan also disclosed that the LSSTF had previously provided operational vehicles and other equipment to security agencies in Lagos, stressing that the interventions were designed to close critical gaps affecting effective security operations.
He said recent security concerns in some parts of the state became apparent following environmental clean-up exercises that led to the relocation of people from areas where their activities posed threats to residents.
According to him, the Lagos State Government responded promptly after the matter was brought to its attention, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu personally visiting affected areas to assess the situation and direct appropriate action.
Ogunsan said security personnel had since been deployed to some of the affected locations, while patrols had been increased and additional vehicles and operational gadgets provided to prevent a recurrence.
He assured residents that the government would work with relevant agencies to address threats to infrastructure and public safety, adding that security measures would be sustained in affected areas.
Receiving the LSSTF delegation, Commodore Aliu described the donation as a major boost to the Nigerian Navy’s internal security operations in Lagos.
Aliu explained that the constitutional responsibility of the Armed Forces to support civil authorities during internal security operations was captured under Military Aid to Civil Authority and Military Aid to Civil Power, adding that the new equipment would strengthen the Navy’s ability to support security operations on Lagos waterways and adjoining land areas.
He thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu and Ogunsan for the intervention, saying the equipment would support the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, in ensuring that Lagos waterways and other areas under the Navy’s operational responsibility remain safe, secure and peaceful for legitimate activities.
The Commander also reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to maintaining strong relationships with government institutions, sister agencies and other relevant stakeholders in support of national security.
He stressed that the evolving nature of security challenges required sustained cooperation and effective coordination among stakeholders, noting that regular engagement and timely information sharing would further enhance the ability of security agencies to respond effectively to threats within the state, particularly along its waterways and maritime approaches.
He said the collaboration was in line with the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Admiralty Medal), which is “to deploy a highly motivated and professional naval force capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests and contributing effectively to joint operations in defence of national sovereignty and the maintenance of internal stability.”