The Lagos State Government has launched a drone surveillance programme aimed at improving crime monitoring and emergency response of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps across the state.

The Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Olugbenga Oyerinde, made this known at the 2025 Annual Ministerial Press Briefing held on Tuesday at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja.

According to Oyerinde, the drone technology will provide real-time aerial visuals of crime hotspots, feeding data directly into a newly established ICT-based situation room.

He added that the deployment of drone surveillance marked a major milestone in the state?s broader strategy to modernise its security infrastructure and reinforce safety at the grassroots level.

?We now have drone technology actively mapping crime, monitoring hotspots and sending real-time visuals to our situation room. A state-of-the-art ICT-based situation room has been completed, capable of processing live feeds from the drones and security cameras installed across the state.?

?Our goal is simple but strategic?take security to the grassroots, empower officers with technology and training, and make our communities safer. This is the Lagos we are building: proactive, connected, and resilient,? Oyerinde disclosed.

The commissioner further stated that over 1,000 new officers have been recruited into the LNSC to expand the presence of local security personnel in communities statewide.

Oyerinde also announced the introduction of specialised units within the agency, including Marine Patrol, Forest Rangers, Forensics, and Domestic Violence Response Teams, designed to meet the state?s evolving security needs.

He said the government had equipped the officers with new patrol vehicles, bicycles, scooters, and motorcycles, replacing outdated equipment and ensuring coverage in both urban and densely populated areas.

?We have replaced unserviceable vehicles and introduced patrol bicycles not only to reduce costs but also to make our presence more effective in densely populated areas,? he added. (The PUNCH)

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