The Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) has donated protective equipment to the Maritime Police Command and pledged to provide a new patrol pickup vehicle within one month, in a move aimed at strengthening security across Lagos waterways.

The intervention, comprising 30 ballistic helmets, 30 bulletproof vests, 30 pairs of operational boots and 30 raincoats, was announced during the maiden official visit of the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the LSSTF, Dr Ayodele Ogunsan, to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Maritime Police Command, AIG Ronke Nurat Okunade, at the Force Headquarters Annex in Lagos.

The support underscores the security significance of Lagos’ lagoons, creeks, coastal corridors, terminals and ports, which connect communities and businesses to the wider national and international economy and remain central to the movement of people and goods, as well as the state’s commercial activities.

For Lagos, Eko ar’omi sa legbelegbe — the city of aquatic splendour — securing the waterways is therefore an important part of the state’s economic and public safety architecture.

Ogunsan said the intervention was aimed at strengthening the work of the Maritime Police in securing Lagos waterways.

“I represent the Lagos State Security Trust Fund. My visit to the Maritime Police Command today is simply to strengthen the good work they are doing. They’ve done excellently well in keeping our waterways very safe. And as a way of saying thank you for the good work they’ve done, that’s what brought me here today,” he said.

According to Ogunsan, the responsibilities of the Maritime Police extend beyond routine policing to securing Nigeria’s maritime domain, combating maritime crime and protecting economic interests.

“The mandate of the Maritime Command is very clear and simple: safeguarding the national maritime domain, securing our waterways, combating maritime crime and economic sabotage, and ensuring that all agencies of government responsible for keeping our state safe and orderly, including the Nigerian Ports Authority, NIWA and NIMASA, do their jobs very well,” he said.

Ogunsan said the scale of the command’s responsibilities made sustained support from stakeholders necessary, particularly as the country approaches another electoral cycle and the ember months.

He said the waterways must remain secure during the period, given the increased security demands that could accompany both the festive season and the 2027 general elections.

“Considering the magnitude of their task and assigned responsibility, we feel this arm of the Nigeria Police Force should be supported. We’ve done a bit in the past, but I feel now we should pay more attention, especially as we are approaching a very sensitive period in our national life.

“The election is coming. The waterways must be very safe. Also, the ember months come with their own attendant challenges,” he said.

Ogunsan said the latest donation was part of broader support provided by the LSSTF to maritime security formations in Lagos.

“I’ve come here today on behalf of LSSTF to make a donation of 30 ballistic helmets, 30 bulletproof vests, 30 operational boots for the men, and 30 raincoats because of the season we’re in now.

“I’ve also promised them that in another month, we’ll be giving them a brand-new pickup vehicle for patrol,” he said.

He added that the Fund had previously supported the Lagos Marine Police with fuel for gunboats and repairs of marine assets, while plans were underway for further interventions.

“We’ve been providing them with fuel for their gunboats. We’ve repaired their gunboats in the past. We’re still putting things together to ensure that we procure brand-new ones for them,” he said.

The intervention is consistent with the broader mandate of the LSSTF, established by Lagos State law in September 2007 as a public-private partnership aimed at bridging operational and logistical gaps confronting security agencies.

In her welcome address, Okunade described Ogunsan’s visit as more than a courtesy call, saying it provided an opportunity to deepen collaboration between institutions with shared responsibilities for public safety.

“It gives me immense pleasure to warmly welcome Dr Ayodele Ogunsan, the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, and his distinguished team to the Maritime Police Command on this maiden official visit.

“On behalf of the officers and men of the command, I wish to sincerely appreciate you for considering it important to visit us,” she said.

The AIG acknowledged the role of the LSSTF in strengthening security operations in Lagos, particularly through support for training and professional development.

She said the command had taken note of the renewed engagement with the Fund, describing the LSSTF as a dependable partner of the police.

Okunade said the strategic importance of Lagos waterways, ports, terminals, jetties and coastal communities extended to commerce, transportation, investment, national revenue and critical infrastructure.

She assured that the donated equipment would be deployed professionally and accountably.

“I want to first of all appreciate the efforts of the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund for empowering us with the operational equipment. We received it with an open heart, to use it professionally and to be accountable to the people we are serving,” she said.

On preparations for the ember months and the forthcoming electoral period, Okunade said the command remained operationally prepared.

“Ember months will not be different. This is what we have been doing and definitely, I can assure you that the coastal environment is safe during the ember months.

“Moreover, now we have been empowered with the protective gear that we have just been given. As I said earlier, we are going to make wise and best use of it,” she said.

She stressed the importance of local knowledge in effective maritime policing, noting that familiarity with the environment officers operate in gives them an advantage in carrying out their duties.

“When as a police officer, whether maritime or on land, if you have the local knowledge of where you are policing, it is a very important thing.

“To have local knowledge of the environment you are policing will definitely be an advantage for you to get your work done seamlessly,” she said.

Okunade assured that the command would continue to work with relevant government agencies and other stakeholders to keep Lagos’ waterways and coastal environment secure.