The Lagos State Government has strengthened efforts to protect railway infrastructure in the state with the donation of two operational vehicles to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) for enhanced security patrols and rapid response.
The vehicles, provided through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), were formally handed over to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, at the Mobolaji Johnson Train Station, Ebute Metta, Lagos.
Presenting the vehicles, the Executive Secretary/CEO of the LSSTF, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, said the intervention reflected the state government’s commitment to supporting security agencies and institutions responsible for protecting critical infrastructure across Lagos.
Ogunsan, who was accompanied by the Administrative Secretary of the Fund, Mr. Demola Lewis, said the vehicles would strengthen the capacity of security personnel attached to the railway to respond more effectively to vandalism, theft and other criminal activities along the railway corridor.
He commended the transformation taking place within the NRC under Opeifa’s leadership, stressing that the security of railway infrastructure remained essential to sustaining efficient rail operations and protecting passengers and other railway users.
The LSSTF chief urged the Nigeria Police Railway Command and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), which are expected to deploy the vehicles for railway security operations, to ensure that they were used strictly for their intended purpose.
He disclosed that the Fund had a monitoring mechanism to track assets donated for security purposes and ensure their proper deployment.
According to Ogunsan, responsible utilisation of the vehicles would strengthen confidence in such interventions and encourage the state government and the Fund to consider further assistance when necessary.
Responding, Opeifa expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government, particularly Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, for its continued support for the Corporation’s operations and railway security efforts.
He also commended the leadership and staff of the LSSTF for their commitment to partnering with the NRC and security agencies to protect the railway system in Lagos.
Opeifa said the vehicles would boost the operational capacity of security personnel to protect passengers, railway infrastructure and other critical assets.
He assured the Lagos State Government and the LSSTF that the vehicles would be deployed strictly for the purpose for which they were donated.
The NRC managing director also appealed to other state governments, particularly the 26 states where the Corporation has operational presence, to emulate Lagos State by supporting efforts to secure railway infrastructure.
He noted that stronger collaboration between the NRC, state governments and security agencies would facilitate faster responses to vandalism and other criminal activities targeting railway assets.
In a further demonstration of support, Opeifa made a personal donation to the LSSTF and urged NRC employees, corporate organisations and residents of Lagos to continue supporting the Fund’s efforts to strengthen security across the state.
Beyond the donation of the vehicles, Opeifa disclosed that the Lagos State Government had indicated its readiness to rehabilitate some roads within the railway compound and install solar-powered streetlights when the rehabilitation work is completed.
He also disclosed that work was ongoing on a major storm-water drainage project designed to channel water from the railway compound towards the Mile 2 lagoon.
According to him, the drainage project, which commenced earlier in the year, has significantly improved the environment within the railway compound and reduced the flooding that had previously occurred during periods of heavy rainfall.
Speaking on behalf of the security agencies, the representative of the Commissioner of Police, Nigeria Police Railway Command, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Yahaya Usman, thanked the Lagos State Government and the LSSTF for the vehicles.
Usman assured that the vehicles would be deployed strictly for railway security operations, particularly surveillance, patrols and rapid response along the railway corridor.
The intervention highlights the growing partnership between the Lagos State Government and the NRC in strengthening railway security, protecting critical infrastructure and creating a safer environment for passengers and communities along the railway corridor.