Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has attributed his success in crime fighting when he was commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command to the support given to the command and his unit by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF).
The IGP, who spoke at the weekend during a visit to the LSSTF office in Alausa, said: “I am so happy to be here today. This is one of my greatest days because, as commander of Lagos Rapid Response Squad, I had a wonderful time with LSSTF. LSSTF is a model that virtually all the states in Nigeria have come to understudy. Even Force Headquarters came and they started a version of RRS in Abuja FCT.”
He painted a vivid picture of operational efficiency enabled by LSSTF’s support, saying: “They made our jobs easier. I had 2,000 men to manage, I had many operational vehicles, I had 40 armoured personnel carriers (APCs) at a point working in perfect condition, I had three helicopters, my own patrol vehicle came in sets, so that when one was being serviced, the other one was working.”
The IGP noted that his time as commander of the anti-crime unit was empowered by the fund by way of adequate provision of resources and tools.
“The equipment, tools, vehicles were enough to give any commander worries but I never had to worry because the Lagos State Security Trust Fund was there. All I needed to do was to write to them that two of our vehicles had been involved in accidents, two engines were knocked, tyres were needed and all these things were provided. I had a store in our office at RRS, which was stockpiled with batteries in their hundreds, tyres in their thousands, everything that was needed to manage the vehicles without contacting them. The big issues they managed and, almost every week, they called me to come and pick vehicles.
“So this helped to ease my mind about vehicle repairs and gave me time to concentrate on policing Lagos,” Disu said.
He particularly attributed his success as the commander of Lagos RRS to the immense support of the LSSTF, “If people are talking to you about the efficiency of the RRS, the Lagos State Police Command, I can say that 70% of the achievements came from LSSTF. LSSTF is a model that everybody should come and see how it works. If Mr. The president can say so, I know him well. Apart from working with him, I believe it is from my record working as commander of RRS, Lagos. The truth is when the tools are there and the human beings are there, there will be successes. I remember that the people called RRS ‘Our police’. In fact,when some of our officers were sick, people would call to check on them. And that was to show that people didn’t hate the police, they wanted an efficient police. That’s why I have to pay a courtesy call to LSSTF now that I am in Lagos on an operational visit.”
Disu used the opportunity to call for more support, “I also came to solicit support for the Lagos State Police Command, we all know the importance of Lagos and the influx of people from all over the nation into Lagos, these are the men managing security. As you have always done, please, give us support, give us the vehicles and help us to activate the helicopters because, with the eye in the sky, it makes the job easier.”
Recounting the formative years of his career, the IGP emphasised the enduring value of mentorship. “When I started my work as a police officer, I remember I met Mr. Adedigba, who retired as a DCP. He became my mentor, I gained a lot from him and he taught me great lessons. He speaks fluent English, and also pidgin English fluently. That’s the value of mentorship.”
Following the IGP’s remarks, the LSSTF CEO, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, delivered an impassioned address that blended commendation with a strategic appeal for sustained support.
“The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, loves you immensely. You have shown us a unique style of policing by finding a critical balance between the people and the police. You have succeeded in giving people hope that police are your employees. Anything you tell us to do, we will do it,” Ogunsan declared.
He, however, did not shy away from addressing the funding realities confronting the trust fund, saying, “We need money to run the LSSTF and only a few people are doing the job. Donor apathy is setting in over the years, especially now that we have security trust funds springing up all over the states.”
In a strategic appeal to the IGP’s influence, he added, “We want to take advantage of your office as IGP. When people come to you and ask you what you need, tell them, as a Lagosian, ‘I want you to do this for Lagos and LSSTF,’ because you actually have a stake in Lagos. Please help chip in a word for LSSTF.”
The private sector echoed strong support for both the IGP and LSSTF. A board member of the LSSTF and CEO of Prime Atlantic, Mr. Ayo Otuyalo, emphasized the importance of leadership in policing, stating, “Leadership in the police is important. We are happy that we see it in your service. We will give you all the support.”
Similarly, a board member of LSSTF and managing director of Abdul Samad Rabiu Initiative, Ubon Udoh, reinforced the commitment to LSSTF’s mission
“To hear the things said about you is to tell about the quality of life you are living. We have a good relationship. As a board member of the LSSTF, you have our commitment to get additional funding. Thank you for all you have done as we look forward to celebrating you,” he said.
Also, a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police and board member of LSSTF, DIG Agboola Oshodi-Glover (rtd), lauded Disu’s leadership, “When you went to Rivers State Command, you succeeded, you were later posted to FCT Police Command, you succeeded. I said, this is my man. I read about your posting to FCID Annex, Alagbon, as the AIG, suddenly I heard a new IG was appointed, I was very happy. Congratulations, IGP.”
The visit also had the presence of the IGP’s entourage, including AIG Zone 2, Olorundare Jimoh; Commissioner of Police, Lagos Command, Tijani Fatai; ACP Ehindero Lawrence; ACP Aka Shittu; Chairman of Lagos Task Force, CSP Adetayo Akerele; Force New Media Officer, CSP Giwa Aliyu; DPO of Alausa Division; and PPRO Lagos, SP Abimbola Adebisi, among other officers. Also in attendance were the Director of Administration, LSSTF, Adegbola Lewis, and the Executive Assistant, LSSTF, Adaobi Nwankwo among others
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Also, during Disu’s visit, the LSSTF reinforced its longstanding commitment to security by donating a brand new operational vehicle to the Nigeria Police Force’s newly established Violent Crimes Response Unit, Lagos State Command. The vehicle presentation by the Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr. Ogunsan, aligned with LSSTF’s track record of equipping the Nigeria Police and other security agencies with critical assets, ranging from patrol vehicles to surveillance infrastructure.
This gesture by the LSSTF makes Lagos one of the first states in the country to officially support the new policing initiative. The donation took place during the courtesy visit of Disu to the LSSTF Headquarters on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
In a symbolic exchange that underscored mutual respect and partnership, souvenirs were presented by the LSSTF CEO to IGP Disu, while IGP Disu presented a souvenir to Ogunsan.
