The Federal Government approved the procurement and installation of luggage scanners at all railway stations in Abuja, Kaduna, and Kano on Wednesday. The plan includes eight colour‑imaging X‑ray scanners, eight body‑scanner metal detectors, and 50 handheld scanners, at a cost of N498 million, according to Minister of State for Transportation Ademola Adegoroye. He briefed State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting, noting that the new equipment is part of the government’s ongoing program to enhance railway safety.
The Buhari administration has aggressively expanded Nigeria’s railway infrastructure nationwide. However, this growth has been accompanied by security concerns, including armed robberies, kidnappings, and terrorist attacks over the past two years. On Monday, 28 March 2022, Boko Haram militants attacked a Kaduna‑bound train, killing eight passengers and kidnapping at least 41. The incident forced the Nigerian Railway Service to suspend all train services on the Abuja‑Kaduna route for eight months; operations resumed in January 2023 under tight security, though passenger confidence remained low.
Adegoroye emphasized that the scanners are essential for protecting lives and property on the rail network. “Today a memo was presented to the Council for the provision of baggage scanners at railway stations, and I am pleased to report that the Council approved the contract,” he said. “When people arrive with goods, they will be able to pass through the scanners and be assured that nothing dangerous is being carried that could cause violence or endanger lives and property.” He added that installing such equipment is crucial as the country embarks on a railway revolution, warning that the government does not want sabotage to undermine the progress made in the sector.
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