By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The General Manager of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA), Ifalade Oyekan, has declared that Lagos is fully prepared for the establishment of state police, citing the state’s existing security architecture as sufficiently robust for the transition.
Oyekan spoke with journalists in Lagos on Tuesday, 3 March, 2026 where he outlined the agency’s structural reforms and operational readiness.
He explained that the LNSA, widely regarded as a pioneer of community policing in Nigeria, has been strategically positioned to evolve into a full-fledged state security apparatus once the necessary legal framework for state police is enacted.
According to him, the agency has undergone extensive restructuring and re-engineering to meet modern security demands.
“The LNSA has undergone significant restructuring and re-engineering to align with modern safety and security demands, adopting a proactive, technology-backed and intelligence-driven model across the state,” he said.
Furthermore, Oyekan stressed that the agency’s operational philosophy goes beyond reactive policing.
“We are not designed to merely react to incidents. Our Corps Officers are trained to anticipate, prevent and mitigate security threats before they occur,” he added.
Prince Oyekan, who was recently reappointed for a second five-year term by Babajide Sanwo-Olu, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to deepening grassroots security structures.
He maintained that sustained investment in training, technology, and intelligence gathering has strengthened the agency’s capacity to respond effectively to emerging threats.
He emphasised that under Governor Sanwo-Olu’s leadership, both the agency and its corps arm will continue to evolve into a modern, efficient, and responsive safety institution.
He noted that the ultimate objective remains the advancement of a safer Lagos, anchored on community-based intelligence and proactive security management.
With ongoing national conversations around the creation of state police, Oyekan’s remarks position Lagos as one of the states prepared to transition seamlessly should the constitutional and legal frameworks be established.
