Lagos State Government has initiated a training programme for security agencies in the state to enhance their operational efficiency.

The training programme, coordinated by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), will run over a 10-month period for a total of 1,000 security personnel from the police and other security agencies in the state.

Lagos State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Keshinro Adedotun, commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the LSSTF boss, Dr Ayo Ogunsan, for implementing such an impactful initiative to enhance the human capacity of security operatives in the state.

He noted that joint human capacity training, such as this, would help to further assist security agencies in possessing the required intellectual tools needed to discharge their statutory duties without unnecessary rivalry and friction.

Adedotun also commended the Commanders of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps and other participating services, as well as the media, for their unwavering support to the Corps since he assumed office in the state.

According to him, the invitation to the training programme was an unprecedented approach to enhancing the already cemented relationship among all the security agencies in the state.

The Secretary/CEO of LSSTF, Dr Ayo Ogunsan, disclosed that the training came with high hopes and a focus on building human capacity, mutual trust and operational efficiency among personnel to meet the expectations of participants drawn from various security agencies to better secure the state.

Meanwhile, the intellectual depth of the programme was further demonstrated by the lead trainer from Halogen Group, Dr Wale Adeagbo, who adopted a practical and psychological approach to security awareness.

Using a visual exercise involving a complex image of animals, he illustrated the concept of perception gaps in threat detection.

“There are actually 16 animals in the image, but the best officers only saw eight, while many others saw fewer. Insecurity is not always obvious. You must use your inner eyes. You cannot afford to see only eight when there are 16 threats,” he said.

Adeagbo, therefore, urged participants to develop heightened situational awareness and critical thinking, adding: “You must discern beyond the obvious and lead within your space. You must be different after this training.”

He also introduced a holistic framework for personal and professional development, highlighting four key resources – time, money, health, and knowledge – and their intersection with nine core life responsibilities, including family, faith, and social relationships.

Delving into ethics, he outlined three foundational principles for public officers: “public service, respect and empathy, and courage.”

He emphasised that effective security operations are rooted in public trust, saying: “Everyone in public safety relies on the consent of the public to work effectively. Your strengths are often identified by others, but your weaknesses are yours to discover.”