 |
| President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed |
President Tinubu has given the green light for the acquisition of additional train coaches and advanced surveillance security equipment as part of a broader effort to expand railway capacity while confronting the persistent threats of banditry, kidnapping and infrastructure vandalism that have long plagued Nigeria’s rail network.
The announcement came from Funso Adebiyi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, during an inspection of the ongoing Kano-Maradi railway project on Saturday.
Accompanied by Prince Adetokunbo Ademola Ade-John, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Transportation and Mobility, and other officials, Adebiyi revealed that the approval covers both more rolling stock to boost passenger and freight services and surveillance systems designed to protect tracks, stations and travellers across the country.
“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,” Adebiyi said. He added that the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has already recruited a surveillance team that regularly patrols its routes. “I can assure you, by the time we are through, there will be no reason for vandalism.”
The ministry is also prioritising local capacity.
Nigerian railway staff will be trained to operate and maintain the new coaches and will participate in their assembly, a move intended to ease long-term upkeep and reduce dependence on external technicians. “Mr. President has approved the contract for the acquisition of more coaches, and we are going the extra mile also to get Nigerian railway staff trained in the operation and maintenance of those new coaches. They will be deeply involved in assembling the coaches to ease maintenance thereafter. I can assure you people will be smiling very soon,” Adebiyi stated.
Why this matters: the shadow of insecurity over Nigeria’s rails
Nigeria’s railway renaissance under successive administrations has delivered modern corridors such as Lagos-Ibadan and Abuja-Kaduna, yet insecurity has repeatedly undercut the gains. The Abuja-Kaduna line, once a flagship success, remains the most cited example of the threat. The March 2022 attack, in which terrorists bombed a moving train, killed several passengers and abducted dozens, still looms large. Services have never fully returned to pre-attack levels of frequency and capacity. Subsequent derailments, stone-throwing incidents, cable theft and vandalism of signalling equipment have forced reduced schedules, higher maintenance costs and lingering passenger anxiety.
Adebiyi specifically referenced the Abuja-Kaduna corridor during the inspection, noting that attacks disrupt operations, endanger lives and inflate costs.
He also alluded to past incidents of vandalism contributing to operational failures, including a reported head-on collision attributed to such interference. Across the network, scavengers and organised groups target metal components, sleepers and electrical installations, while bandits exploit remote stretches of track for ambushes.
This is not an isolated problem. In the northwest and north-central regions, banditry has disrupted farming, trade and transport for years. Rail infrastructure, often running through sparsely policed rural areas, presents both a soft target and a strategic asset. Protecting it is essential if the government hopes to shift freight and passengers off overcrowded, accident-prone roads and realise the economic benefits of rail.
The Kano-Maradi project: progress amid challenges
The announcement was made against the backdrop of the strategic Kano-Maradi railway, a roughly 284-kilometre standard-gauge line intended to link northern Nigeria with Maradi in Niger Republic. The project, which includes sections through Katsina and other northern corridors, aims to facilitate trade, reduce pressure on roads and open new economic corridors. Officials have repeatedly targeted a December 2026 commissioning for key sections, with physical completion reported in the 70-80 per cent range in recent inspections, depending on the segment.
During the latest visit, Adebiyi and his team inspected the casting of a bridge beam and assessed ongoing works. Challenges have included insecurity, theft and vandalism of construction materials, land access disputes in urban areas, illegal mining along certain corridors, and seasonal weather delays. The ministry has emphasised continued collaboration with security agencies and engagement with host communities and traditional rulers to keep the project on track.
Once operational, the line is expected to ease road congestion, cut accident rates and boost regional commerce. But without robust security, the same vulnerabilities that have hampered Abuja-Kaduna could undermine the new corridor.
Broader context and analysis
Tinubu’s administration has framed security as foundational to economic recovery. Recent moves include pay rises for the armed forces, procurement of aircraft and armoured vehicles, directives to dismantle bandit and terrorist camps, and orders to rescue abductees. The railway-specific approvals fit this pattern: pairing infrastructure expansion with technology-driven protection.
Surveillance systems—likely to include cameras, sensors and monitoring along tracks—echo earlier, unfulfilled requests for digital security apparatus on rail corridors. Past experiences show that equipment alone is insufficient without sustained patrols, intelligence sharing, rapid response capacity and community cooperation. The recruitment of an NRC surveillance team is a positive step, but its effectiveness will depend on funding, training, coordination with the military, police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and coverage of remote stretches.
Local assembly and training of staff address another chronic weakness: maintenance. Nigeria has struggled with a culture of poor upkeep on public infrastructure. Building in-house expertise for the new coaches could reduce downtime and costs over the assets’ lifespan.
Sceptics will note that announcements of security equipment have been made before, and implementation timelines, exact specifications, costs and procurement transparency remain unclear from the latest statements. Delivery of coaches and systems will take time, and bandits have repeatedly adapted to new measures. Success will ultimately be measured not by the approval itself but by fewer disruptions, restored full services on vulnerable lines, rising passenger confidence and lower repair bills.
Looking ahead
The dual focus on capacity and security reflects a pragmatic recognition that Nigeria cannot fully unlock the potential of its railways while tracks remain vulnerable. Expanding passenger and freight options is critical for economic diversification and regional integration, particularly with the Sahel. Yet without credible protection, investments risk being eroded by the same forces of banditry and vandalism that have already exacted a heavy toll.
Adebiyi’s inspection tour and the presidential approvals signal intent. Whether this translates into safer, more reliable and more frequent train services across Nigeria’s expanding network will depend on the speed of procurement, the quality of the systems deployed, and the sustained coordination of security and transport agencies in the months and years ahead. For passengers, traders and communities along the corridors, the real test will be whether the tracks become zones of connectivity rather than vulnerability.
Samuel O. Sulaimon is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Naijapiz. He covers News, Sports, Finance, Faiths, Education, Politics and Technology.
Post a Comment