Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has confirmed that vandals excavated and stole fittings used to secure a bridge pole along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
Sanwo-Olu made the disclosure after inspecting the vandalised bridge pole at Vin-Niger, near the Alakija axis of the expressway in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area.
The governor, however, assured residents that the vandalism had not compromised the structural integrity of the bridge and that the structure remained safe.
He warned that the state government would pursue those responsible, including individuals involved in the purchase and sale of stolen public infrastructure materials.
According to a statement issued by the Lagos State Government, Sanwo-Olu described the incident as unacceptable and urged residents to report suspicious activities around public infrastructure.
“The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Saturday, carried out an on-the-spot assessment of a vandalised bridge pole at Vin-Niger, along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area,” the statement said.
It added that the governor assured Lagos residents that the structural integrity of the bridge remained intact despite the incident.
Sanwo-Olu disclosed that some fittings used to secure the bridge had been excavated and removed by vandals.
He vowed that the government would continue efforts to identify and prosecute those behind the vandalism, regardless of their status or background.
The governor also expressed concern over repeated vandalism of infrastructure in Festac Town, including the destruction of drainage slabs and theft of iron rods along Second and Seventh Avenues.
He had earlier directed security agencies to apprehend those responsible for vandalising the Festac-Alakija Bridge.
“Lagos will not tolerate any act of vandalism because it is barbaric and criminal,” Sanwo-Olu said, adding that remedial work would be carried out immediately to protect the bridge columns.
He commended the Lagos State Police Command, Rapid Response Squad, Lagos State Neighbourhood Watch and members of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) for their response to the incident.
The governor said the inspection formed part of his administration’s efforts to clean up the Lagos-Badagry Expressway corridor and protect public infrastructure.
The incident comes amid growing concerns over the vandalism of public infrastructure across Nigeria.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has previously condemned the destruction and theft of road infrastructure, describing such acts as unacceptable.
The Lagos State Government has continued to invest heavily in road and bridge infrastructure.
In May 2025, the government said it had completed 61 roads covering 56.52 kilometres and five bridges within one year.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Olufemi Daramola, said the projects were designed to improve connectivity and ease traffic congestion across the state.
He added that work was also being accelerated on 147 other road and bridge projects, with some completed projects awaiting commissioning.
The latest vandalism has renewed calls for stronger protection of public infrastructure as Lagos expands its road and bridge network.
