In line with directives from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to clear the Lagos-Badagry Transnational Highway of environmental infractions, illegal motor parks and roadside trading, Lagos State enforcement authorities have uncovered a major act of structural vandalism beneath the newly constructed bridge linking Festac Town to Alakija.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed the development on Friday in a statement posted on his Facebook page.
Detailing the severity of the sabotage, Wahab revealed that criminal elements systematically compromised the safety of the critical transportation asset.
According to the commissioner, “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.”
Denouncing the act, the state government warned that such deliberate destruction jeopardizes citizen lives and damages high-value public investments.
Wahab highlighted the immediate danger posed by the theft of materials, stating that “this criminal act poses a serious threat to public safety and undermines the government’s investment in critical infrastructure.”
Following the discovery, state security forces mobilized a coordinated night operation to dismantle illegal encampments and secure the affected area.
Wahab confirmed that “a joint midnight enforcement operation involving officers of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) task force was conducted at the location” to flush out criminal elements operating under the bridge.
The targeted tactical operation yielded immediate results, apprehending multiple suspects linked to illegal activities along the highway corridor.
Giving an update on the enforcement outcome, the commissioner announced that “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 administration’s zero-tolerance stance on environmental violations and infrastructure destruction, Wahab pledged sustained surveillance across state corridors.
He concluded by reassuring residents that “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 well-being of residents.”
