Technological tools,such as sophisticated digital cameras that will enable thorough monitoring of all rail tracks in the country,is the best precautionary measure to forestall banditry along the corridors.

This position was affirmed by the Minister of Transportation,Mr.Rotimi Amaechi during an on the spot assessment of damaged tracks and coaches as a result of an attack by bandits on the Abuja Kaduna rail route.
Mr.Amaechi said a proposal had been done in that regard to the National Assembly long ago,and was waiting approval.

“What you need is a camera that shows you that ten to twenty metres from the train or 100 to 10 metres from the train,there are human activities,then we can take precautions”.

The Minister noted that perimeter fencing of the rail line stopped because there were no funds to pay the contractor handling it and was not the solution to terror attack,but a stop gap measure to prevent grazing by animals.

“The man is doing it,we have not paid him,but even if it’s done,don’t you see in Rijana,we are demolishing it,and it’s not high enough to contain criminals,it’s for cows”.

He confirmed that eight people lost their lives in the bandits attack on the Abuja Kaduna rail line on Monday night,while 41 people have been hospitalised.

The Minister was accompanied on the inspection visit by his Minister of State counterpart,Sen.Gbemisola Saraki.