The Nigerian government has deployed security operatives across major train stations nationwide to ensure smooth operations during the free train rides offered for the 2024 Christmas and New Year festivities.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) announced that the initiative, which runs from December 20, 2024, to January 5, 2025, is designed to provide relief for Nigerians by offering free transportation to 340,000 passengers heading to their hometowns for the holidays.
#### Security Measures in Place for Busy Routes
Train routes, including Lagos-Ibadan, Lagos-Abeokuta, Abeokuta-Ibadan, Abuja-Kaduna, and Warri-Itakpe, are expected to witness high traffic, prompting the deployment of extensive security.
Maj. Gen. Buba Edward, Director of Defence Media Operations, assured the public that the military would collaborate with other security agencies to provide protection for both the trains and passengers. Commissioner of Police for the Railway Command, Iliyasu Kwarbai, also confirmed that police personnel were deployed to manage crowd control at train stations, anticipating a surge in passenger numbers due to the free service.
“We have put everything in place to ensure safety and manage the crowd,” Kwarbai said. “We started today, and everything is going smoothly.”
Additionally, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) deployed 28,300 operatives nationwide to safeguard critical national assets and prevent criminal activities during the festive period.
#### Successful Launch of Free Train Services
The initiative, aimed at reducing transportation costs, was successfully launched on December 20, 2024. Acting Managing Director of NRC, Ben Iluanosi, assured passengers that the service would run smoothly. He confirmed that the first day of the initiative saw passengers with tickets boarding first, with others being profiled for identification before boarding.
Iluanosi also emphasized the importance of early planning and ticket booking. He urged passengers to adhere to the rules to ensure the service remains orderly, noting that measures had been implemented to prevent ticket hoarding.
“We are expecting about 340,000 passengers over the period,” Iluanosi said, detailing the routes covered, including Abuja-Kaduna, Lagos-Ibadan, and Warri-Itakpe. “Tickets for tomorrow are still available, and we encourage everyone to plan ahead..
