Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) has unveiled a new digital platform that allows residents to submit security-related information, including videos, photographs, and text messages, directly to the government through two designated phone numbers. The initiative, announced on Thursday, May 7, 2026, introduces a messaging-only system, meaning the numbers cannot receive voice calls. Residents are encouraged to send credible intelligence, such as footage of criminal activity, images of suspicious persons, or detailed reports, to two tip lines: 0911 019 5555 and 0916 201 1179. The LSSTF emphasised that the platform is designed to encourage the flow of actionable intelligence between citizens and the government while maintaining a high standard of confidentiality and professionalism.
The LSSTF Chief Executive Officer and Executive Secretary, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan, explained that the initiative leverages technology and citizen participation to enhance situational awareness and support more informed decision-making by relevant authorities. He stressed the critical role of citizens in the security ecosystem, noting that while security agencies remain at the forefront of maintaining law and order, their effectiveness is greatly enhanced by credible information from the public. "It’s just video messages and pictures to serve as evidence. When we get the information, we filter them out and send to appropriate agencies for immediate actions," Ogunsan said. "This intervention is for members of the public who are trying to reach out to security agencies but don’t know how or are afraid of being identified."
The tip lines are structured to protect the identity of informants, addressing a long-standing obstacle to community policing in Lagos. Many residents have expressed fear of reprisal from criminal gangs should their cooperation with security forces become known. By accepting anonymous submissions through a dedicated, non-voice platform, the LSSTF aims to break that barrier. The system also allows citizens to attach photographic and video evidence, which can serve as crucial material for investigations and prosecutions. Ogunsan noted that once the LSSTF receives a submission, the team filters the information for credibility and relevance before forwarding it to the appropriate security agency, whether the police, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army, or other law enforcement bodies.
The LSSTF, established in 2007 as a public-private partnership, has historically focused on funding and equipping security agencies in Lagos State. This new tip line initiative represents a shift toward direct citizen engagement, recognising that technology can bridge the gap between the public and security forces. Lagos, a megacity of over 20 million people, has faced persistent challenges with crime, including armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, and cyber fraud. While the state government has invested heavily in surveillance cameras, rapid response units, and community policing programmes, the missing link has often been the reluctance of witnesses to come forward.
The launch of the tip lines follows a series of high-profile crimes that have shaken the state, including a spate of kidnappings along the Ikorodu road and a resurgence of cult-related killings in Lagos Island. Civil society groups have repeatedly called for a secure, anonymous reporting mechanism. The LSSTF's new platform appears to be a direct response to those demands. Ogunsan emphasised that the system is not intended to replace emergency numbers like the police control room or the state's 112 emergency centre. Instead, it is a complementary tool for non-urgent intelligence sharing and for situations where a caller might fear immediate detection.
The tip lines accept only text messages, pictures, and video files. Residents are advised not to call the numbers, as voice calls will not be answered. The LSSTF has also warned against submitting false information or hoax reports, stating that misuse of the platform could lead to prosecution. The fund has assured the public that all submissions will be handled with the utmost confidentiality. The identities of informants will not be disclosed to any third party without their explicit consent, except where required by law.
This move by the LSSTF aligns with global best practices in community policing. In many cities around the world, anonymous tip lines have proven effective in reducing gun violence, dismantling drug networks, and preventing terrorist attacks. For Lagos, where trust between some communities and law enforcement remains fragile, the anonymity provision could be the key to unlocking a flood of previously unreported intelligence. However, the success of the initiative will depend on public awareness and the ability of the LSSTF to demonstrate that submitted information actually leads to arrests and convictions.
The LSSTF plans to roll out a public awareness campaign across radio, television, and social media to educate residents on how to use the tip lines effectively. The fund will also work with community leaders, religious organisations, and market associations to spread the word. As the platform begins to receive submissions, the LSSTF will monitor its performance and adjust its protocols as needed. For now, residents of Lagos have two new numbers to remember, and the government has a new tool to listen.
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