The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), has donated two operational vehicles to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to strengthen security operations and enhance the protection of railway infrastructure and other critical national assets.
The vehicles were formally presented 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 Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, said the intervention was part of the State Government’s continued support for security agencies and institutions operating within Lagos State.
Dr. Ogunsan, who was accompanied by the Administrative Secretary of the Fund, Mr. Demola Lewis, said the donation was aimed at enhancing the capacity of security personnel attached to the railway to respond effectively to incidents of vandalism, theft and other criminal activities along the railway corridor.
He commended the ongoing transformation within the Nigerian Railway Corporation under the leadership of Dr. Opeifa, noting that the Lagos State Government considered it necessary to extend further support towards securing railway infrastructure and improving operational effectiveness.
Dr. Ogunsan urged the Nigeria Police Railway Command and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who are expected to utilise the vehicles for railway security operations, to ensure their judicious use.
He explained that the LSSTF has a monitoring mechanism to ensure that assets donated for security purposes are deployed strictly for the assignments for which they were provided.
According to him, responsible utilisation of the vehicles would encourage the Lagos State Government and the Fund to provide further assistance where necessary.
Responding, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government, particularly Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, for keeping faith with the Corporation and supporting its efforts to enhance railway security and operations.
Dr. Opeifa also commended the leadership and entire team of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund for their commitment, partnership and continued support towards the safety and security of the railway system in Lagos State.
He noted that the donation would further enhance the capacity of security agencies attached to the railway to effectively protect passengers, railway infrastructure and other assets.
The NRC Managing Director assured the Lagos State Government and LSSTF that the vehicles would be deployed strictly for the purposes for which they were donated.
He further called on other state governments, particularly across the 26 states where the Nigerian Railway Corporation has operational presence, to support the protection of railway assets, stressing that effective collaboration would facilitate quicker responses to vandalism and other criminal activities affecting railway infrastructure.
Dr. Opeifa also made a personal donation to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund and encouraged NRC staff, corporate organisations and residents of Lagos State to continue supporting the Fund in its efforts to make Lagos safer for residents and businesses.
Beyond the provision of the operational vehicles, Dr. Opeifa disclosed that the Lagos State Government had expressed readiness to rehabilitate some roads within the railway compound and provide solar-powered streetlights upon completion.
He added that work was already 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 intervention, which commenced earlier in the year, has significantly improved the environment around the railway compound and helped prevent the perennial flooding previously experienced during 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 donation to the Nigeria Police Force and the NSCDC.
He assured that the vehicles would be deployed strictly for railway security operations and used responsibly to strengthen surveillance, patrol and response capabilities along the railway corridor.
The intervention further underscores the growing partnership between the Nigerian Railway Corporation and the Lagos State Government in promoting safer railway operations, protecting critical infrastructure and improving the security of passengers and railway communities.
