The Lagos State government on Tuesday asserted that bank robbery appears to be a bygone incident in the state, saying that for the fourth consecutive year, it recorded no incident of armed robbery assault against any financial institution in the state, the development being the longest period over the last two decades.
This was made known on Tuesday at the 17th Town Hall Meeting on Security organised by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) based on the record presented by the State’s Security Trust Fund.
Lagos, however, recorded 189 cases of residential robberies under the year in review, 172 of which were successfully foiled by security operatives, while 257 suspects were arrested.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, however, in his remark, linked the improvement to the continuous review of the state’s security architecture and the consistent surveillance put in place to nip organised crimes in the bud.
Speaking at the event, which took place at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, and where stakeholders in the security circle, citizens, and private sector donors met to evaluate issues relating to safety in Lagos between October 2022 and September 2023, the governor praised the police and sister agencies for their collaborative efforts towards combating crimes in the city, saying the state had built a stabilised security landscape compared to other parts of the country.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, while noting that more challenges lay ahead to overcome, pointed out that the state, through LSSTF, had consistently funded the operations of security agencies across communities to ensure quick response to threats and crimes.
He pointed out that the state government had provided operational vehicles and equipment aimed at enhancing the capacity of security operatives, saying that the intervention had raised the frequency of crime-busting responses, which, according to him, had resulted in an unprecedented record of progress in the history of policing in the state.
“We convene here today to discuss and evaluate the trajectory of our collective effort to bolster security in Lagos. Our discussion centres around the convergence of security strategies, which is an integral component of our THEMES+ agenda. Our administration recognises security as a multifaceted challenge, and we promise to continue to pursue policies and actions that will foster the well-being of all Lagosians while keeping faith in our pledge to build a secure and inclusive community.
“LSSTF, fueled by voluntary donations, has significantly strengthened our security architecture, providing essential vehicles and equipment. While challenges persist, our state’s security landscape is notably more stable than in many other parts of the country.
“We have equipped and strengthened cooperation among various safety and security agencies; our collaboration with armed security agencies through the Lagos State Security Council remains crucial in acknowledging the sacrifices made by officers and men to ensure our safety,” the governor stated.
Speaking further, Governor Sanwo-Olu pledged that 2024 would kick off with new security measures, disclosing that his administration would be raising the fleet of patrol vehicles for security agencies by 300 units in collaboration with local government authorities in the state.
This was just as he disclosed that the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) Agency had been repositioned to gather actionable intelligence to complement efforts by the security agencies, adding that the state’s Emergency Call Centre was undergoing operational restructuring for enhanced intelligence reporting.
“To address critical needs, the state government, in collaboration with local authorities, will provide 300 patrol vehicles through the LSSTF at the beginning of next year. We have repositioned the neighbourhood safety agency to gather actionable intelligence to support security responses,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor personally led the donation drive to LSSTF, raising N2 billion in voluntary contributions to the Trust Fund at the event.
Oil mogul and businessman, Mr. Femi Otedola, pledged a donation of N1 billion to the fund, just as other donors turned out large donations to the cause.
Acting Commissioner of Police, Waheed Ayilara, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, while reporting on the crime situation in Lagos, said 103 firearms, 324 assorted ammunition, and 279 dangerous weapons were recovered during the year.
He said 158 cases of murder were recorded, with the incidents resulting in the deaths of 163 victims, adding that a total of 18 kidnapping suspects were also arrested in connection with eight incidents.
The police boss also raised the alarm about the rising cases of domestic violence and abuse, noting that 256 cases of gender-related violence were recorded with 333 suspects in custody.
LSSTF Executive Secretary, Dr AbdurRazaq Balogun, said Lagos State Police Command only received nine patrol vehicles from the Federal Government within two years, stressing that the Fund used donations it received in the last 10 months to bridge the equipment shortfall within federally controlled security agencies operating in Lagos.
According to Balogun, Lagos remained the only state with 28 functioning bullet-proof vehicles, with three vehicles’ armoured features being replaced every five years.
“The Fund received a total of N318.75 million in cash donations and two vehicles in 2023. We continue to thank our donors, as their partnership is far-reaching and critical to the success of these security activities,” he said.
LSSTF BOT Chairman, Mr Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, in his own remark, said that although the economic situation in the country had affected donations to the Fund, the agency surpassed its revenue target by 94 per cent.
“The unstable economic climate, largely influenced by increasing foreign exchange rates, has been a major fundraising challenge.
“This makes the donation drive even more pertinent for us, especially as there is no alternative to the collective funding model given, which is an indication that the government cannot do it alone,” he said.
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