Society
27 Arrested As Suspected Hoodlums Strip Lagos Bridge of Iron Rods, Cables
“this criminal act poses a serious threat to public safety”
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, describing the act as a serious threat to public safety and government infrastructure.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed the development, saying the arrests followed the discovery of extensive vandalism during an enforcement exercise along the Lagos-Badagry Transnational Highway.
According to Wahab, the operation was carried out in line with the directive of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to rid the Lagos-Badagry Transnational Highway of “all forms of infractions, environmental pollution, illegal motor parks, roadside trading, and market displays on highway setbacks and pedestrian walkways.”
He said enforcement officials uncovered “a disturbing act of vandalism beneath the newly constructed bridge linking Festac Town to Alakija.”
Wahab 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.”
He warned that “this criminal act poses a serious threat to public safety and undermines the government’s investment in critical infrastructure.”
The commissioner disclosed that a joint midnight enforcement operation involving officers of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, and the Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI, task force was subsequently conducted at the location.
“The operation led to the arrest of 27 suspected hoodlums, who will be prosecuted in accordance with the extant laws of Lagos State,” he said.
Wahab reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to safeguarding public assets, stressing that authorities would continue to clamp down on acts of vandalism and other environmental and criminal infractions.
“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 said.
Photo Credit:Tokunbo Wahab (Facebook Page)
