The Lagos State Security Trust Fund has partnered with the Lagos State Police Command and the Nigeria Police Air Wing to conduct aerial surveillance patrols across Lagos as part of efforts to enhance security and reassure residents of their safety.
In a statement issued Sunday, LSSTF Executive Secretary Ayodele Ogunsan said the operation was carried out Friday across the mainland and island areas of the state, providing real-time situational awareness and supporting intelligence-led security efforts.
Ogunsan described the initiative as a proactive measure aimed at improving public safety, strengthening rapid-response capabilities and supporting security agencies in the protection of lives and property.
According to him, aerial patrols will become a regular component of the state’s security strategy.
“We started this mission a few months ago, and we stated very clearly that we are not here to frighten anyone but to encourage Lagosians to be fully ready to support us in this move to keep Lagos safe,” Ogunsan said.
He noted that an earlier exercise received positive feedback from residents and said the latest operation was a continuation of those efforts.
Ogunsan said the state government decided to inform residents about the patrols because of heightened security concerns in parts of the country.
He added that Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu had directed security agencies to reassure residents that Lagos remains safe.
“The Executive Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has directed us to assure you that Lagos is safe and that the security of this land is his priority,” Ogunsan said.
He said Lagos would continue to complement federal efforts to address insecurity through coordinated operations across land, sea and air.
“We will get in the air now to patrol the entire Lagos and also identify areas of security concern and ensure that the right thing is done,” he said.
Ogunsan also urged residents not to be alarmed by increased aircraft activity associated with the surveillance operations.
“In the next few days, the air will be very busy, but I assure Lagosians not to be scared when they hear the sounds of aircraft hovering around their areas,” he said.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police Fatai Tijani said the aerial patrols were intended to boost public confidence and demonstrate the readiness of security agencies to combat crime.
“This is to boost the confidence of the public that the police are ready to secure them. It is to tell Lagosians that the police are not just on the land but also in the air,” Tijani said.
“By hovering around the state, we know there is no hiding place for criminals on land, sea and now in the air.”
The LSSTF said the patrols would continue on a sustained basis as part of broader efforts to improve surveillance, intelligence gathering and operational effectiveness throughout the state.
