27 Arrested for Allegedly Vandalising Festac-Alakija Bridge, Removing Steel Reinforcements
The Lagos State Government has arrested 27 suspected hoodlums over the alleged vandalism of the newly constructed bridge linking Festac Town and Alakija Areas of the State.
Global Mirror News gathered that the suspects were reportedly apprehended during a joint midnight enforcement operation carried out by officers of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) task force.
The operation followed the discovery that some parts of the bridge had allegedly been deliberately damaged, with critical metal components removed from the structure.
According to the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the enforcement exercise was conducted in line with the directive of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to rid the Lagos-Badagry Transnational Highway of environmental infractions, illegal motor parks, roadside trading and other unlawful activities.
Wahab disclosed the arrests in a statement shared on his official X account, explaining that preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects had allegedly targeted vital structural materials used to strengthen and support the bridge.
He said the materials allegedly removed included iron rods, steel reinforcements, cables and other components considered essential to the structural integrity of the bridge.
The Commissioner described the alleged act as a serious threat to public safety, noting that vandalising critical infrastructure could compromise the durability and safety of the bridge while also undermining the Government’s investment in the project.
“Investigations revealed that suspected hoodlums had deliberately vandalised critical structural components of the bridge by removing iron rods, steel reinforcements, cables, and other supporting materials essential to the integrity of the infrastructure,” Wahab stated.
Following the discovery, security operatives intensified surveillance around the area and launched a coordinated enforcement operation, which resulted in the arrest of the 27 suspects.
The Lagos State Government said the suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the extant laws of the State.
The incident has again raised concerns over the growing threat of vandalism to public infrastructure, particularly newly constructed projects where the removal of seemingly small components could have serious consequences for public safety.
Global Mirror News also gathered that the Festac-Alakija bridge forms part of ongoing infrastructure development along the Lagos-Badagry corridor, making the protection of its structural components crucial to ensuring the safety of motorists and other road users.
The State Government has continued to warn residents against vandalising public infrastructure, stressing that such acts not only cause financial losses but can also endanger lives.
