Lagos Security Fund donates two vehicles to NRC to boost railway security

The Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) has donated two operational vehicles to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to strengthen security along the railway corridor and protect critical infrastructure in the state.

The vehicles were formally handed over to the NRC Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, 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 formed part of the Lagos State Government’s continued support for security agencies and institutions operating in the state.

Ogunsan, who was accompanied by the Administrative Secretary of the Fund, Mr Demola Lewis, said the vehicles would improve the ability of security personnel attached to the railway to respond to vandalism, theft and other criminal activities along the railway corridor.

He commended the transformation taking place within the NRC under Opeifa’s leadership, saying the state government considered it necessary to provide additional support to safeguard railway infrastructure and enhance operational efficiency.

Ogunsan 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 their proper and judicious use.

He said the LSSTF had a monitoring mechanism to ensure that security assets donated by the Fund were deployed strictly for their intended purposes.

According to him, responsible utilisation of the vehicles would strengthen the case for further assistance from the state government and the Fund whenever necessary.

Responding, Opeifa expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government, particularly Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, for its continued support for the NRC and its efforts to improve railway security and operations.

The NRC boss also commended the leadership and staff of the LSSTF for their commitment and partnership in strengthening the safety and security of the railway system in Lagos.

He said the donation would enhance the capacity of security agencies attached to the railway to protect passengers, railway infrastructure and other critical assets.

Opeifa assured the state government and LSSTF that the vehicles would be deployed strictly for the purposes for which they were donated.

He also called on other state governments, particularly the 26 states where the NRC has an operational presence, to support the protection of railway assets in their jurisdictions.

According to him, stronger collaboration between the NRC, state governments and security agencies would facilitate faster responses to vandalism and other criminal activities targeting railway infrastructure.

Opeifa also made a personal donation to the LSSTF and urged NRC staff, corporate organisations and residents of Lagos to continue supporting the Fund’s efforts to improve security across the state.

Beyond the vehicle donation, Opeifa disclosed that the Lagos State Government had expressed its readiness to rehabilitate some roads within the railway compound and install solar-powered streetlights after the completion of the road works.

He said work was also ongoing on a major storm-water drainage project designed to channel water from the railway compound towards the Mile 2 lagoon.

The drainage project, which commenced earlier in the year, had significantly improved the environment around the railway compound and helped reduce the perennial flooding previously experienced during heavy rainfall, he said.

Speaking on behalf of the security agencies, the representative of the Commissioner of Police, Nigeria Police Railway Command, Deputy Commissioner of Police Yahaya Usman, thanked the Lagos State Government and LSSTF for the donation.

Usman assured that the vehicles would be used strictly for railway security operations, particularly surveillance, patrols and rapid response along the railway corridor.

The intervention further highlights the growing partnership between the NRC and the Lagos State Government in securing railway infrastructure, improving passenger safety and strengthening security around railway communities.