The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), DrAyodeleOgunsan, has called for coordinated institutional responses to tackle emerging security threats across the country.

Ogunsan spoke at the third edition of the LSSTF two-day Statewide Inter-Agency Training Programme themed, “Enhancing Professional Capacity, Ethical Standards and Inter-Agency Collaboration for Effective Security Operations.”

The programme attracted senior officers, security operatives, policymakers and experts from across Lagos State in a renewed effort to strengthen the operational readiness of security and safety agencies.

He noted that the increasing complexity of Nigeria’s security environment, including recent developments in the Southwest geopolitical zone, underscored the need for stronger institutional collaboration, emotional intelligence, ethical professionalism and continuous retraining among frontline personnel.

According to him, the programme, now in its third edition, is expected to train over 1,000 security operatives drawn from various security and safety agencies serving in Lagos State between March and December 2026.

Ogunsan said modern security challenges, including evolving criminal patterns, kidnappings, public distrust and urban pressures require intelligence-driven and people-oriented operations anchored on professionalism, collaboration and public trust.

Represented by the Director of Administration, Adegbola Lewis, the LSSTF boss stressed that the security landscape confronting the country had become increasingly dynamic and interconnected, making collaboration among agencies indispensable.

“Security is no longer the responsibility of any single agency acting in isolation,” he said. “Modern security threats are dynamic, interconnected, and often require coordinated responses that transcend institutional boundaries.”

He added that the training initiative was deliberately designed to deepen inter-agency cooperation, strengthen ethical standards and enhance professionalism among security personnel.

Ogunsan also disclosed that the programme included modules on financial literacy and medical wellness, recognising that operational effectiveness is closely tied to the physical, emotional and financial wellbeing of officers.

Security chiefs, facilitators and experts, who attended the event, emphasised that security operations in a megacity like Lagos require tactical competence, emotional maturity, ethical conduct and people-centred engagement.

Speaking at the event, the Corps Marshal of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), formerly known as KAI, Major Olaniyi Cole (Rtd.), commended LSSTF for sustaining strategic support for security agencies in the state.

Cole said environmental disorder, illegal settlements, blocked drainage systems and abandoned structures often create enabling conditions for criminal activities.

“You cannot have security without public wellbeing,” he said.

“The safety of the public depends on the discipline, competence and welfare of the men and women who serve on the frontlines.”

He also called for sustained investments in professionalism, collaboration and sustainability across security institutions, advocating stronger synergy among LSSTF, the Police, LASTMA, KAI, LNSA and community-based security structures.

Representative of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, ACP OluwatoyinKazeem, urged participants to maximise the opportunity offered by the training and reiterated the Command’s commitment to professionalism and integrity in policing.

One of the keynote facilitators, Prof. Oka Obono of the University of Ibadan, warned that many tragic confrontations between civilians and security personnel stem from poor emotional management and inadequate capacity building.

“This has to do with the reactions of security personnel to the elevated risk, stress, and anxiety that come with the kind of jobs they do,” he said.

Obono also encouraged officers to prepare for life after active service through disciplined financial management, integrity and investment planning.

General Manager of Globus Training and Advisory Limited, Desmond Nnebue, said pre-test and post-test evaluations conducted after earlier batches showed significant improvement in emotional intelligence, public diplomacy, ethical professionalism and financial management among participants.

He stressed that ethical professionalism and public trust remain essential for effective policing and intelligence gathering. “When the public trusts security agencies, it becomes easier for citizens to volunteer information and support security operations,” he said.