Lagos Arrests 27 Suspected Hoodlums For Allegedly Vandalising Festac-Alakija Bridge

The Lagos State Government has arrested 27 suspected hoodlums for allegedly vandalising the newly constructed bridge linking Festac Town and Alakija.

The suspects were arrested during a late-night enforcement operation carried out by security operatives in the area.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed the development in a statement on Friday, describing the alleged vandalism as a serious threat to public infrastructure and safety.

According to Wahab, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly removed several important materials from the bridge.

The materials reportedly included iron rods, steel reinforcements, cables and other components considered essential to the strength and safety of the structure.

He 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.”

Wahab warned that tampering with the structural components of the bridge could endanger the lives of residents and other road users.

“This criminal act poses a serious threat to public safety and undermines the government’s investment in critical infrastructure,” he added.

The commissioner said the suspects were apprehended during a coordinated midnight operation conducted by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, in collaboration with the Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI, task force.

He stated, “The operation led to the arrest of 27 suspected hoodlums, who will be prosecuted in accordance with the extant laws of Lagos State.”

The Lagos State Government also reaffirmed its determination to protect public infrastructure across the state.

Wahab said enforcement operations targeting vandals, environmental offenders and other individuals involved in activities that threaten public safety would continue.

“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.