Metro
Abia Security Trust Fund Visits LSSTF to Understudy Activities
A delegate of the Abia State Security Trust Fund (ASSTF) led by the Executive Secretary, Barr. (Mrs.) Cleo Nkolika Ubani, has paid a working visit to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) in a bid to exchange ideas and draw more inspiration for a profitable venture, the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) learnt.
It would be recalled that LSSTF is the pioneer security trust fund in the nation, having been established in 2007.
The team, it was further disclosed, was on the visit to understudy the activities of its Lagos State counterparts.
A major highlight of the visit was a training session where both Trust Funds gave brief histories and reasons for the establishment of their Security Trust Funds.
The LSSTF took ASSTF through the rudiments and roles of the secretariat and the Board of Trustees as well as the various kinds of security interventions embarked upon by the Fund, and its impact on general security in the State, which has made it the safest state in Nigeria.
In his address, the Executive Secretary/CEO of LSSTF, Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun, emphasized the Fund’s strongest feature, which is embedded in the acronym, PART (Prudent, Accountability, Resourcefulness and Trust), in addition to maintenance, which is why its assets remain functional for upwards of 12 years.
“Here in LSSTF, we deliberately maintain a lean workforce to ensure that the majority of resources raised are directed towards providing support to security agencies operating in the State, and so we advise that you take that into consideration,” Balogun said.
Dr. Balogun also pointed out areas of the ASSTF amended laws that may be detrimental to their operations while stating that the success of any Fund can be attributed to the high caliber of individuals appointed by Mr. Governor as members of the Board of Trustees.
“These individuals are not only influential but accomplished in their various endeavours, and view their roles as an opportunity to give back to the State. They leverage on their positions and industry connections to reach out to colleagues and partners for contributions to sustain the activities of the STF,” he said.
The host STF took their guests on a tour of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) where the Permanent Secretary of the Agency, Dr. Oluwafemi Damilola Oke-Osanyitolu showed them round the Command and Control Centre towards having a firsthand experience of the various units of the agency, their functions and impact of their activities in the State.
The Abia delegates were also visited EPAIL (Equipment and Protective Applications International Limited) a security manufacturing company on a tour of its facility and its operations.
In their separate responses, members of the Board of the Trustee of the ASSTF, commended the Fund for its efforts thus far in facilitating safety and security in Lagos State. They noted that they are also stakeholders and beneficiaries of improved security as they have their businesses in Lagos. They promised to replicate the LSSTF model in Abia.
In her remarks, the ES of ASSTF, Barr. (Mrs.) Ubani thanked the Dr. Balogun for the warm reception and the ‘Lagos hospitality’.
“The training sessions and visitations were indeed insightful and informative. Even as we return to Abia, I will continue to reach out the LSSTF for support from time to time and look forward to receiving LSSTF on its follow-up working visit to Abia State,” she concluded.
Other members of the delegate were three members of the Board of Trustees of the ASSTF – Mr. Johnson Chukwu, MD – Cowry Asset Management Limited; Mrs. Ngozi Ekeoma, MD – Nepal Group; and Mrs. Nkechi Obi, MD – Techno Oil.
Others were Bar. Eke Okezie, Bar. Linda Phillip Onuoha and Mr Hope Nwaogwugwu.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police mobile force (PMF) personnel from private individuals nationwide.
The IGP, according to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, gave the directive during a meeting with PMF squadron commanders at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Tuesday.
He decried the assignment of PMF operatives to escort and guard duties for VIPs and private individuals across the country.
He also announced a series of reforms, including quarterly ethics and professionalism training, and the mandatory standby of fully equipped, combat-ready units.
In the statement, Adejobi said the move is part of the reorganisation of the Police Mobile Force (PMF).
“He expressed concern over the diversion of PMF personnel to non-core roles, including escort and guard duties for private individuals and VIPs, a trend which has undermined the unit’s effectiveness,” the statement read.
“To address this, the IGP has announced a series of measures including the immediate withdrawal of PMF personnel from unauthorized deployments, regular quarterly training focused on ethics and professionalism, and mandatory standby of fully equipped, combat-ready units across all Squadrons for rapid tactical support.”
According to the IGP, all PMF Commanders will be held accountable for the conduct of their personnel.
Egbetokun, however, urged them to lead proactively through regular training, inspections, and mentorship aimed at upholding discipline, respect for human rights, and operational excellence.
The police in Bauchi State have arrested a 40-year-old woman for allegedly raping a 12-year-old boy in Azare, headquarters of Katagum Local Government Area.
The State Police Command in a statement by the PPRO, CSP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, said: “On March 1, 2025, at about 14:00 hours, a concerned citizen from Katagum Local Government Area reported a serious incident to the Divisional Police Headquarters in Azare.
“The report implicated Fatimah Ibrahim, a 40-year-old resident of Tashan Jama’are, in a troubling case involving a 12-year-old boy (names withheld), who had been employed to assist in her business.”
The victim, an Arabic pupil, was reportedly housed at the defendant’s residence, where he was subjected to inappropriate conduct over two months.
During an interview, Wakil said the victim described how the defendant, who he trusted as a maternal figure, engaged him in acts of a sexual nature, especially when her other visitors were not present.
He recounted being given a mixture of lemon juice, which he believed may have been tampered with before these incidents occurred, and indicated that he had been subjected to such behavior on multiple occasions.
Wakil said during the subsequent interrogation, the defendant admitted to her actions. He added that investigation is ongoing, adding that the suspect will undergo profiling before charged to court for the appropriate offence.
A prominent Lagos hotelier, Otunba Kunle Akinyele, tragically passed away on Saturday after collapsing during a church thanksgiving service held in honour of his wife’s 60th birthday.
The incident occurred at Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Iyanu, Odemuyiwa District Headquarters, Egbeda, Lagos State, leaving family, friends, and well-wishers in deep shock.
In a now-viral video shared on Facebook by Ayoade Ojeniyi on Sunday, the late businessman appeared visibly distressed, gesturing frantically—apparently requesting water or an inhaler—moments before slumping while delivering his testimony.
The thanksgiving service had been organised to celebrate his wife, Deaconess Catherine Adejoke Akinyele, with a grand reception scheduled to follow immediately after at Noble Castle Events Centre, Igando.
However, those plans were abruptly halted when news broke that Akinyele had collapsed in church. Despite frantic efforts to revive him, he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
One of the event vendors, who shared their experience via Facebook, said they had arrived at the reception venue as early as 10 am for the party, which was set to commence by 2pm.
The vendor wrote: “The celebrant, her husband, their children, and guests had all gone to church for the thanksgiving, intending to proceed to the reception afterwards. Varieties of foods were ready, decoration set, cocktails, emu oguro, and more. The live band had already mounted about 25 speakers. This is how people die? I can’t even think of asking for my balance for the job.”
