LSSTF gives 50 bulletproof vests and 100 raincoats to Navy in Lagos

The Lagos State Security Trust Fund has given 50 bulletproof vests, 50 ballistic helmets, and 100 raincoats to the Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft in Lagos. They urged the Navy to do more in protecting lives and property.

Dr Ayodele Ogunsan, the Executive Secretary of the LSSTF, made this known in a statement on Tuesday. The donation took place at the NNS Beecroft headquarters in Apapa, Lagos. This comes as security agencies ramp up efforts to safeguard lives and property ahead of the upcoming elections.

Ogunsan said the donation was based on the Fund’s review of the operational gaps in security agencies across Lagos. "It is a normal tradition as the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund to constantly visit all the security agencies in the state to see how they are doing, to ensure that we boost the morale of the officers and encourage the commanders," the statement said.

He added that the latest assessment at NNS Beecroft led to this donation of protective gear. He mentioned that more support is in the works. "Today we have come here to NNS Beecroft to donate 50 units of ballistic helmets, 50 units of bulletproof vests. We’ve also donated 100 units of raincoats because of the season we are in now. And there are other things that we have discussed behind closed doors that we are going to address very shortly," he said.

Ogunsan explained that these donations are part of the LSSTF’s goal to spot and solve operational problems faced by recognized security agencies in Lagos. "That is our core mandate; that is our responsibility. We are established as an interventionist agency to address and fill all the gaps that we feel are there," he stated.

The aim of these efforts is to boost the performance of security agencies and enhance the protection of lives and property, especially during critical times. "To whom much is given, much is expected. All these interventions across all security agencies are definitely expected to yield more from them. And the most important thing is security, safety of lives and property, especially now that we are approaching a very sensitive period, the elections," he said.

Commodore Adams Aliu, the Commander of NNS Beecroft, received the items. He thanked the Lagos State Government and the LSSTF for their support. He called it a significant boost to the Navy’s internal security operations.

Aliu said the equipment would help the Navy secure Lagos waterways and nearby land areas. He also noted that the Armed Forces have a duty to provide military support to civil authorities.

In another development, Ogunsan and Aliu also visited the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Abdullahi Mustapha. They went to the command’s headquarters in Apapa. The visit aimed to strengthen cooperation between the Navy and civil authorities in boosting security and safety in Lagos and Nigeria.