The Lagos State Government has arrested 27 suspected hoodlums over the alleged vandalism of a newly constructed bridge linking Festac Town and Alakija.
The suspects were apprehended during a joint midnight enforcement operation conducted by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad and the Kick Against Indiscipline task force.
Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed the arrests in a statement on Friday, following the discovery of extensive damage beneath the bridge.
According to Wahab, preliminary investigations showed that the suspects removed several components essential to the bridge’s structural integrity.
He said the items allegedly vandalised included iron rods, steel reinforcements, cables and other supporting materials.
“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 said.
The commissioner described the incident as a disturbing act of vandalism, warning that the removal of structural components could expose motorists and other road users to serious safety risks.
“This criminal act poses a serious threat to public safety and undermines the government’s investment in critical infrastructure,” he said.
Wahab said the 27 suspects arrested during the operation would be prosecuted under the relevant laws of Lagos State.
He added that the arrests demonstrated the government’s determination to prevent the destruction of public infrastructure and hold offenders accountable.
“The operation led to the arrest of 27 suspected hoodlums, who will be prosecuted in accordance with the extant laws of Lagos State,” he stated.
The commissioner further warned that the state government would sustain enforcement operations against vandals, environmental offenders and others whose activities threaten public safety.
He said the government remained committed to protecting public assets and ensuring that critical infrastructure provided for residents was not undermined by criminal activities.
“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,” Wahab said.
The development comes as Lagos continues to strengthen enforcement measures aimed at protecting infrastructure and maintaining safety across the state.
