The Lagos State Government has arrested 27 persons for allegedly vandalising a newly constructed bridge linking Festac Town and Alakija, saying the suspects removed key structural components of the facility.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed the arrests in a post on X on Friday after a midnight enforcement operation carried out beneath the bridge. Mr Wahab stated that investigations showed that the suspects allegedly removed iron rods, steel reinforcements, cables and other materials critical to the bridge's structural integrity. He described the incident as a serious threat to public safety and government infrastructure.
Investigation Reveals Deliberate Vandalism
According to the commissioner, the suspects were arrested during a joint overnight operation involving operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) task force. The operation led to the arrest of 27 suspected hoodlums, who will be prosecuted in accordance with the extant laws of Lagos State.
Mr Wahab explained that the state government would continue to crack down on vandalism and other offences that threaten public infrastructure. He said, “The Lagos State Government remains committed to protecting public infrastructure and will continue to take decisive action against individuals or groups engaged in acts of vandalism, environmental infractions and other criminal activities that threaten the safety and wellbeing of residents.”
Previous Incident on Third Mainland Bridge
The latest arrests come months after the Lagos State Police Command arrested an 18-year-old suspect for allegedly vandalising reflective road studs installed on the Third Mainland Bridge. Police said the road safety installations were removed from the bridge, warning that attacks on public infrastructure endanger motorists and impose additional costs on the government.
The commissioner did not disclose the identities of the suspects or indicate when they would be arraigned. However, he emphasised that the government remains committed to protecting public infrastructure and will continue to take decisive action against vandals.
Government's Commitment to Public Safety
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges facing Lagos State in safeguarding its infrastructure. The removal of critical components such as iron rods and steel reinforcements could compromise the bridge's integrity, posing risks to commuters and residents. The state government has vowed to intensify surveillance and enforcement operations to deter future vandalism.
Residents have been urged to report any suspicious activities around public infrastructure to the authorities. The government also plans to collaborate with security agencies to ensure that those responsible for such acts face the full weight of the law.
