The Lagos State Government has introduced dedicated security tip lines to enable residents report security threats and share credible information through text messages, photographs and videos.

The initiative was announced on Thursday by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund as part of efforts to strengthen intelligence gathering and improve public participation in security monitoring across the state.

Details of the development were shared in a statement posted on X by Ridwan Ajetunmobi, Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

According to the statement, the move is aimed at responding to emerging security challenges by expanding channels through which residents can relay information to authorities.

“To adapt to evolving security challenges, the Lagos State Government has strengthened its intelligence gathering efforts, broadening public access to reporting security concerns in their neighbourhoods,” the statement read.

It added that the LSSTF had introduced dedicated Security Tip Lines through which residents can forward relevant information for government action.

The statement explained that the platform is strictly messaging-based and does not support voice calls. Residents are expected to submit security-related reports using text, pictures and video recordings.

The designated tip lines are 0911 019 5555 and 0916 201 1179.

According to the LSSTF, the initiative is designed to improve collaboration between residents and government agencies by encouraging the flow of actionable intelligence while ensuring confidentiality and professionalism.

“Through these platforms, individuals can submit information, photographs, and video recordings relating to security concerns within their communities,” the statement added.

The government further noted that the initiative leverages technology and community participation to improve situational awareness and support timely decision-making by security agencies.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday convicted a former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on 12 counts of fraud and money laundering.

The charges were preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

In a judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho, the court said it was satisfied that the anti-graft agency had successfully established the former minister’s culpability beyond reasonable doubt.

The Federal High Court court convicted him on all grounds of the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024.

The ex-minister, who served in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, was found complicit in the illegal diversion of public funds totalling about N33.8 billion.

The court found that he made a cash payment of $655,700 (N200 million) for landed property in Abuja, without recourse to a financial institution.

He was also found guilty of criminal breach of trust in relation to funds released by the federal government for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant projects.

According to the court, most of the funds were siphoned through Bureau de Change operators, BDCs, who converted the money into foreign currencies and handed it over to the defendant.

“The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming as against the scanty and almost absent defence of the defendant.

“The defendant did not offer any credible evidence to rebut the prosecution’s case,” Justice Omotosho held.