Tinubu Approves Security Equipment to Protect Trains From Bandits

President Bola Tinubu has approved the purchase of additional railway coaches and security equipment to protect train services from banditry, kidnapping and vandalism.

Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Funso Adebiyi, disclosed this on Saturday during an inspection of the ongoing Kano-Maradi railway project.

Adebiyi said the security equipment would be deployed across the country to protect railway infrastructure and passengers.

“I’m glad to inform you that Mr President has given the go-ahead for us to embark on the acquisition of surveillance security equipment all across the country, and we are working around the clock to ensure this,” he said.

He described insecurity as a major concern for the ministry, saying attacks on railway facilities disrupt services, endanger lives and increase maintenance costs.

Adebiyi cited the Abuja-Kaduna railway corridor as an example of the security challenges facing the sector.

He also said the Nigerian Railway Corporation had recruited surveillance personnel to patrol railway routes regularly.

The government is also considering a tracking system to prevent attacks and kidnappings along train routes.

Prince Adetokunbo Ademola Ade-John, the president’s senior special assistant on transportation and mobility, said the system had received approval in principle, while the required paperwork was being processed.

“We are putting up a tracking system to prevent any banditry or kidnapping.

"The tracking system is already approved in principle,” he said.

Beyond security, Tinubu has approved a contract for additional coaches to increase passenger and freight capacity.

Adebiyi said Nigerian railway workers would receive training in operating, assembling and maintaining the new coaches to reduce dependence on foreign technical support.

The officials made the disclosures during an inspection of the Kano-Maradi railway project, which is expected to improve rail connections between Nigeria and neighboring Niger.

The government has yet to announce when the new security equipment will be deployed or which railway routes will receive priority.