Festac-Alakija bridge: Lagos gov’t arrests vandal, as Sanwo-Olu vows prosecution of offenders

By Imisioluwa Afunmiso

The Lagos State Government has intensified its crackdown on the destruction of public infrastructure, directing security agencies to hunt down vandals targeting major transportation corridors while securing the arrest of a suspect caught dismantling road safety barriers.

Reiterating the state’s zero-tolerance stance against infrastructure sabotage, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu strongly condemned the recent vandalism of the Festac-Alakija Bridge, describing the act as barbaric and criminal.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, the governor assured the public that the structural integrity of the bridge remains intact following an inspection by officials from the Office of Infrastructure.

Sanwo-Olu stated that remedial work would begin immediately to reinforce the columns and vowed that anyone found culpable in the horrendous and shameful act would face the full weight of the law.

He further urged residents to remain vigilant and report attacks on public facilities.

“Lagos has no place for such barbarism and acts of violence against our critical infrastructure,” Sanwo-Olu stressed.

The governor’s warning coincides with a major breakthrough in enforcement along the Ikorodu Road corridor, where state officials apprehended a suspect caught deliberately stripping metal components from public safety installations.

Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed that the suspect was caught red-handed during monitoring operations at Kosofe Bus Stop, near Mile 12.

The individual was actively extracting iron rods, cables, and steel reinforcements from a concrete barrier installed to stop pedestrians from illegally crossing the high-speed expressway.

Wahab warned that removing these structural components directly compromises the stability of the barriers, endangering lives by exposing road users to avoidable accidents.

He confirmed that the suspect is currently in custody and will be prosecuted under state law.

Reaffirming the government’s resolve to safeguard state assets, Wahab warned that the administration will continue its aggressive monitoring across all local councils to deter vandals and ensure public order.