The Lagos State government, on Friday, donated two patrol vehicles to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to strengthen railway security.

The vehicles are to support the Nigeria Police Force and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) commands attached to the NRC.

The executive secretary of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Ayodele Ogunsan, said the donation underscored the relationship between security and transportation.

Mr Ogunsan spoke at the presentation of the vehicles in Lagos.

He said the LSSTF had consistently supported security agencies in Lagos State, noting that securing the transportation system was critical to residents’ safety.

According to him, the fund had supported security operations in the air, on waterways and on land through collaborations with relevant agencies.

He said the fund was now giving greater attention to railway security to reassure Lagos residents, particularly rail passengers, that stations and corridors remained safe.

“We are telling Lagos residents, especially users of our rail system, that LSSTF is beaming a searchlight on railway security.

“We want to ensure that everybody who uses our railway stations believes that those spaces are also safe,” he said.

The executive secretary said the donation was not a one-off intervention, recalling that the fund had previously supported the NRC with similar equipment.

He pledged that the LSSTF would sustain its partnership with the NRC and bridge the gap between security agencies and railway authorities.

Mr Ogunsan appealed to security personnel to take ownership of the vehicles and ensure that they were used strictly for patrol and security operations.

“These assets are very expensive. Each of these vehicles is worth more than N50 million, so you know where we are coming from,” he said.

He warned that using the vehicles for private purposes could discourage further support from the fund.

He said the LSSTF had established a monitoring unit to track the use and maintenance of vehicles donated to security agencies.

He explained that positive reports on the proper use and maintenance of donated assets would encourage the fund to provide additional support.

However, he warned that agencies that misused or poorly maintained donated vehicles could be excluded from future interventions.

The executive secretary said the LSSTF was a donor-funded organisation and did not receive subvention from the Lagos State government.

He appealed to individuals, Lagos residents and the private sector to support the fund through voluntary donations.

He said the government occasionally provided vehicles and other equipment, which the fund subsequently extended to security agencies.

The official commended the NRC management for supporting the partnership and described his recent rail journey to the event as remarkable.

He said the experience demonstrated that Nigeria had the capacity to develop innovative transportation solutions capable of attracting global attention.

Mr Ogunsan pledged to maintain closer engagement with the NRC and other security agencies to identify their needs and provide necessary support.

Commenting, the Managing Director of NRC, Kayode Opeifa, commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State for supporting security operations within the railway community.

Mr Opeifa expressed appreciation for the vehicles provided to the police and NSCDC, adding that the gesture was not the first of its kind.

He said similar support had previously been provided to security agencies serving the railway community.

According to him, the governor had also directed relevant authorities to intervene in other challenges confronting the railway community, including roads, streetlights and stormwater drainage.

“A major stormwater drainage project had already commenced within the railway compound, extending from Wole Talamo Ahmed Road through the compound towards the Imori area.

“The project was designed to address flooding in parts of Yaba, Lagos Mainland, the Nigerian Railway compound and adjoining communities by conveying stormwater toward Mile 2,” he said.

The NRC boss said the vehicles would strengthen the operational capacity of the two security agencies and enhance their ability to protect lives and property.

Speaking on behalf of the railway workers’ union, Innocent Ajiji, appealed to the police and civil defence authorities to increase patrols within the railway compound.

He expressed concern over the increasing theft of railway materials and personal belongings of residents and workers within the compound.

“We want regular patrols within the compound because the level of theft of railway materials and personal belongings is becoming alarming,” he said.

The representatives of the police and NSCDC appreciated the gesture and pledged to use the vehicles for their intended purpose and maintain them properly. 

(NAN)