The Lagos State Security Trust Fund says it has collaborated with the state Police Command and the Nigeria Police Air Wing to conduct aerial surveillance patrols across the state as part of efforts to strengthen security and reassure residents of their safety.
This was contained in a statement by the Executive Secretary of the LSSTF, Ayodele Ogunsan, on Sunday.
According to Ogunsan, the exercise was carried out on Friday across the mainland and island corridors of the state, providing real-time situational awareness and supporting intelligence-led security operations.
Ogunsan described the initiative as a proactive step aimed at enhancing public safety, strengthening rapid-response capabilities, and supporting security agencies in protecting lives and property across the state.
According to him, the aerial patrols would become a regular feature of the state’s security architecture.
The statement read, “We started this mission a few months ago, and we stated very clearly that we are not here to frighten anyone but to encourage Lagosians to be fully ready to support us in this move to keep Lagos safe.
“The first exercise was a successful one. Lagosians responded very well to it, and we promised that we would keep this going.
This is a follow-up. We have been running this silently without informing Lagosians, but for the tension in the land, we must carry you along.”
He added that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had directed security agencies to reassure residents that the state remained safe despite prevailing security concerns in parts of the country.
“The Executive Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has directed us to assure you that Lagos is safe and that the security of this land is his priority. This is a message of hope, comfort, encouragement, and assurance that you have a caring leader who has security paramount in his heart,” he added.
Ogunsan further said the state would continue to complement the Federal Government’s efforts in tackling insecurity through coordinated operations on land, sea, and air.
“As his foot soldiers, we are also assuring you that our air, land, and sea are very safe. This is a subnational contribution to national security.
“We will get in the air now to patrol the entire Lagos and also identify areas of security concern and ensure that the right thing is done,” he stated.
The LSSTF boss also urged residents not to panic over the increased presence of surveillance aircraft across the state.
“In the next few days, the air will be very busy, but I assure Lagosians not to be scared when they hear the sounds of aircraft hovering around their areas. We are your people, not strange forces, and we will ensure that the right things are done,” he said.
On his part, the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, said the aerial surveillance operation was designed to boost public confidence and demonstrate the readiness of security agencies to tackle crime.
“This is to boost the confidence of the public that the police are ready to secure them. It is to tell Lagosians that the police are not just on the land but also in the air.
“By hovering around the state, we know there is no hiding place for criminals on land, sea, and now in the air,” Tijani said.
The LSSTF noted that the patrols would continue on a sustained basis as part of broader efforts to improve surveillance, intelligence gathering, and operational effectiveness across the state.