The Federal Government has approved the procurement and installation of luggage scanners in all railway stations in Abuja, Kaduna, and Kano.
They include eight colour imaging X-ray scanners, eight body scanners metal detectors, and 50 handheld scanners.
The Minister of State for Transportation, Ademola Adegoroye, disclosed this to newsmen on Wednesday on the outcome of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the State House, Abuja. He said the procurement would cost N498m.
Recall on Monday, March 28, 2022, terrorists linked to the Boko Haram sect attacked a Kaduna-bound train leaving eight passengers dead and kidnapping at least 41.
The attack made the Nigerian Railway Service halt all train services along the Abuja-Kaduna route for eight months.
Operations resumed in January 2023 amidst tight security and skepticism among passengers.
Speaking on the memorandum presented to FEC for consideration and approval, the minister stated:
“The Federal Ministry of Transportation had two memos today, which I presented on behalf of the ministry and it had to do with one, the provision of scanners at all railway stations all over the country.
“You’ll all agree with me that in view of the process of security of lives and property, such equipment has to be installed at our railway stations. Since we’re starting railway revolution, we are trying to put in place a lot of things with the railways. We don’t want people to come and damage all that the government has been trying to put in place in that sector.
“So, today there was a memo before Council for the provision of baggage scanners at railway stations and I’m happy to inform you that the Council agreed with us and has approved that contract for scanners to be installed at railway stations so that when people get there and have goods, then they can pass through the scanners and they can be sure that there’s nothing that can destroy, that can cause violence or inflict danger or bring lives and property at stake.”