Three persons have been arrested for allegedly creating unauthorised U-turns along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and collecting money from motorists who used the illegal openings.
The suspects were among 12 people arrested over alleged vandalism and other prohibited activities on the coastal highway, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olufemi Dare, said on Friday.
Dare disclosed this while representing the Minister of Works, David Umahi, at a joint press briefing with the Lagos State Police Command.
According to him, nine of the suspects were arrested over alleged vandalism of government infrastructure, while the other three were apprehended for allegedly creating illegal U-turns and charging motorists for access through the unauthorised openings.
He said five of the suspects had already been charged to court, while investigations were continuing into the remaining suspects.
Dare said the ongoing investigation was also aimed at identifying the wider network allegedly involved in receiving and disposing of stolen government property.
He stressed that the authorities would not limit their efforts to arresting individuals allegedly removing infrastructure materials but would also pursue those receiving the vandalised government property.
The Federal Controller also warned motorists and other road users against engaging in activities prohibited on the coastal road.
He specifically warned that trailers were not permitted to park on the highway, describing the route as a major superhighway connecting Lagos to Calabar.
“There are another three, three of them here that created illegal U-turns on the Coastal Road. They were like collecting money. They give U-turns to people and then they collect money,” Dare said.
He also warned that the use of tricycles and bicycles on the road was prohibited, adding that anyone caught violating the restriction would be arrested and the vehicle confiscated.
“There’s no keke on the Coastal Road. It’s very, very important. If you drive bicycle, if you drive tricycles, you will be arrested,” he said.
Dare further said the authorities would not permit the presence of destitutes or the rearing of animals, including goats, sheep and cattle, along the highway.
He advised motorists whose vehicles develop faults on the Coastal Road to immediately contact the police or road safety officials for assistance.
According to him, motorists should not abandon broken-down vehicles on the highway, as such vehicles would be towed away.
The Federal Controller urged Lagos residents and other road users to comply with the restrictions, stressing that the Coastal Road was designed as a major highway rather than a parking or commercial activity corridor.
