Lagos govt reiterates commitment to safety, security of residents

… fortifies security management around border areas

The Lagos State Government on Wednesday reiterated its commitment to the safety, security, and well-being of all Lagos residents, emphasising the strategic milestones recorded in coordinating emergency response efforts and fostering robust partnerships across governmental tiers in the country.

The State Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Olugbenga Oyerinde, stated this during the Year 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing marking the 6th anniversary of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration in the state.

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The commissioner noted that Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration had, in the last one year, strengthened its security strategy through the integration of the Nigerian Forest Security Service into the state’s security architecture, saying that a total of 100 security personnel were recruited to fortify security management around border areas adjoining the state for the safety of the commuting public.

Besides, Oyerinde disclosed that the state government also doubled the allowances of security officers, demonstrating a firm commitment to personnel welfare, adding that his ministry equally distributed 320 units of essential security tools.

According to him, these include batons, torchlights, bulletproof vests, gloves, and raincoats for frontline operatives, saying that two new fire stations were commissioned in Ijegun-Egba and Ijede to enable effective fire safety operations.

This was just as he hinted that construction was ongoing on other fire stations in Kosofe, Yaba, Ikotun and other areas of the state, saying industrial boreholes were installed in key fire stations across Alausa, Isolo, Ebute-Elefun, Ajegunle, and Ogombo to further build capacity in fire safety and rescue operations in Lagos.

The commissioner further disclosed that between January 2024 and March 2025, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) responded to 2,022 emergencies, saying that LASEMA’s Pre-Hospital Care Unit attended to 707 medical cases, while it successfully rescued and treated 4,847 accident victims.

According to him, the ministry also coordinated a joint flood assessment in Isheri North and Agiliti II, aiding over 5,000 affected residents, following water discharge from the Oyan Dam.

The commissioner, while noting that intergovernmental cooperation was strengthened through regular engagement with federal agencies such as NAPTIP, NDLEA, NOA, the National Population Commission (NPC), among others, said a joint committee was inaugurated with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to support voter education at the grassroots level ahead of local government elections.

He explained that the ministry also embarked on sensitisation initiatives focused on youth recruitment into the Nigerian Armed Forces, and anti-human trafficking campaigns also recorded wide participation.

Oyerinde, while acknowledging ongoing infrastructural challenges at the Lagos State Command and Control Centre, including outdated power systems, malfunctioning fire suppression equipment, and inactive mobile CCTV vehicles, however, stated that restoration efforts had commenced to ensure continued delivery of critical services.

The commissioner pointed out that the Lagos State Safety Commission had reinforced regulatory compliance across over 421,000 construction sites, microfinance institutions, and manufacturing plants, saying that it completed the Lagos State Occupational Safety and Health Master Plan, implemented the new safety guidelines across diverse economic sectors, and conducted extensive training and safety inspections in markets, event centres, and public institutions.

Speaking further, Oyerinde emphasized that the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency expanded its reach with the construction of new command offices and procurement of operational vehicles, motorcycles, and patrol bicycles, saying that the installation of solar energy systems across all 57 LGAs and LCDAs in the state now ensured uninterrupted power supply at local security offices.

“The agency also deployed aerial surveillance systems and recruited over 1,000 new officers across specialised units, including marine, forest rangers, human trafficking, crowd control, and emergency medical services,” he said.

The commissioner, noting that all these efforts were geared towards ensuring protection of lives and properties, urged the residents to continue to reciprocate the government’s good gesture with continued support, saying that they should take ownership of public infrastructure and protect it from vandalism.

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