Lagos arrests 27 suspected hoodlums over bridge cable, iron rod vandalism + Video

The Lagos State Government has arrested 27 suspected hoodlums for allegedly vandalising critical structural components of the newly constructed bridge linking Festac Town to Alakija.

This followed a midnight enforcement operation conducted by officers of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) task force.

The operation carried out in line with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive to rid the Lagos-Badagry Transnational Highway of environmental pollution, illegal motor parks, roadside trading, market displays on highway setbacks and pedestrian walkways, as well as other forms of infractions.

The State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, confirmed the development in a statement on Friday.

He said the enforcement exercise followed the discovery of what he described as a “disturbing act of vandalism” beneath the bridge.

According to Wahab, investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly removed iron rods, steel reinforcements, cables and other components critical to the bridge’s structural integrity.

He said: “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 warned that the destruction of the bridge components posed a major safety risk.

“This criminal act poses a serious threat to public safety and undermines the government’s investment in critical infrastructure,” he said.

He added, “The operation led to the arrest of 27 suspected hoodlums, who will be prosecuted in accordance with the extant laws of Lagos State.”

Reaffirming the government’s resolve to protect public assets, Wahab said enforcement operations against vandals and other offenders would continue.

“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,” he stated.

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖