Tight Security As Buhari Visits Lagos, Commissions NIMASA, Railway Projects Today

There is a heavy presence of security operatives in Lagos State as the President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to arrive in the state today (Thursday) to commission the deep blue assets of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Lagos-Ibadan standard rail gauge.

Barring any last-minute challenge, the President will fly into Nigeria’s economic hub from the seat of power in Abuja.

Buhari’s “advanced team are already in Lagos and the President should be in the state if the weather is okay for flight”.

The arrival of the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, in Lagos on Wednesday, is part of the preparation to receive the President and tighten security before his arrival. Baba arrived in Lagos on Wednesday on a three-day work visit.

Also, presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, in a Facebook post on Wednesday, wrote, “President Muhammadu Buhari will tomorrow (Thursday), commission the 156km Lagos—Ibadan standard gauge railway line in Lagos, the first double-track standard gauge rail in West Africa, and the first Nigerian railway line to be started and completed by the same administration, since 1960.

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“Construction started in March 2017, and test-running commenced in December 2020.

“The Ebute Metta Station, known as the Mobolaji Johnson Station, is the largest railway station in West Africa with a holding capacity of 6000 passengers.

“President Buhari is committed to developing a modern national railway network that will connect every part of Nigeria, and promote trade, travel, tourism, commerce and national integration. — Presidency.”

President Muhammadu Buhari will also launch the Deep Blue Project under the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection, a move that is meant to protect Nigeria’s waterways.

Ahead of the launching of the maritime assets at the Lagos Port Complex today, movement has been restricted, while only a few maritime industry stakeholders have been invited to the event which is billed to hold at the ENL Terminal in Apapa port.