Ogunsan Describes LSSTF Donations as ‘Direct Impact Project’ as AIG Fayoade Champions Community-Led Security at Lagos PCRC Conference
By Oki O. Samson
The Lagos State chapter of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) held its annual conference yesterday, bringing together senior security leaders, national officers, and grassroots stakeholders in a renewed call for stronger community-driven security initiatives. The event featured impactful presentations from the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Ayo Ogunsan; the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (Zone 2), AIG Adegoke Fayoade; the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Moshood Jimoh; and Lagos PCRC Chairman, Apostle Kehinde Showemimo, National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) reports.
Dr. Ogunsan, who recently assumed duties as CEO of the LSSTF, opened his address by acknowledging the leadership present and reaffirming his commitment to supporting improved security operations across the state.
Shifting to his core message, he declared: “Let me preach my gospel—the gospel according to LSSTF. December is a sensitive month, and the AIG and CP are already working tirelessly to ensure Lagos remains even safer than previous months. As people troop in from across Nigeria and abroad for festivities, their safety is our priority.”
He stressed that all funds raised during the conference would be dedicated strictly to procuring equipment and resources for security agencies. “Whatever we raise here, no one is getting cash. It will come back in the form of equipment to make Lagos secure,” he said.
Dr. Ogunsan made an unusual appeal, shifting the focus away from traditional big donors to ordinary Lagosians. “The alerts that excite me are contributions like ₦2,000, ₦5,000, ₦10,000. When the market women, students, and artisans participate, it shows that everyone understands that security is everybody’s business.”
He further encouraged security operatives themselves to contribute. “If you want your families to move freely without fear, then support this cause. LSSTF is a direct impact project.”
In his address, AIG Adegoke Fayoade highlighted the tangible achievements of community-police collaboration in Lagos. Citing LSSTF assessments, he revealed: “Between 2019 and 2023, Lagos recorded a 35% reduction in violent crimes and a 15% improvement in police response time—driven by technology, community intelligence, and support from groups like the PCRC.”
He pointed to the Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS) as a model of partnership. “The RRS, supported by the state and private sector, benefits daily from real-time tips transmitted through PCRC channels. This enables proactive policing.”
Fayoade emphasised that Lagos’ security model is built on deliberate community engagement structures. “Regular town hall meetings, interfaith security forums, youth-focused programs—all these contribute to a culture of mutual trust.”
He recalled the critical role of the PCRC during sensitive moments, including the 2023 post-election period. “At a time when tensions could have escalated, PCRC executives convened peace dialogues across markets and transport unions, helping maintain calm.”
Summarising the philosophy behind the state’s security achievements, he asserted: “Lagos shows that security is not achieved by coercion but by consensus.”
The conference ended with renewed commitments from all stakeholders to deepen trust, expand collaboration, and strengthen community-based policing as the cornerstone of a safer, more resilient Lagos.
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