The Lagos State Police Command on Thursday confirmed the arrest of 12 suspected vandals in connection with the repeated vandalism of the newly constructed Coastal Road.
This is part of the Command’s intelligence-led operations aimed at protecting lives and property, as well as safeguarding critical infrastructure across the state.
CASEFILE gathered that the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway is a major 700+ kilometer multi-lane superhighway project managed by the Federal Ministry of Works in the country.
The road is said to be connecting Lagos to Calabar across several southern coastal states, the dual carriageway is designed to reduce traffic congestion and stimulate regional trade.
Briefing journalist about the state command’s achievement in August, the Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Tijani said that 39 suspects were arrested over alleged vandalism, stealing, robbery, cultism and other crimes in August.
According to him, 10 suspects were arrested on August 17 following investigations into the repeated vandalism of the newly constructed Coastal Road.
The CP identified the suspects as Courage Ogbemudiah, 19; Michael Janes, 25; Muhammed Mustapha, 25; Muyideen Ola, 32; Emmanuel James, 18; Tadious Nanius, 28; Anthony Nucase, 23; Makinde Muize, 30; Bolaji Raji, 30; and Waliu Kabiru, 28.
He said that the Command is working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure that those responsible for the continued destruction and theft of public infrastructure are brought to justice.
In addition, a-28-year old Chidiebere Ochiri, allegedly arrested for vandalism and theft of government-installed CCTV camera cables, irons and other infrastructure on the Third Mainland Bridge is currently in custody following confessional statement to the police.
The suspect allegedly told investigators that he had been involved in the activity for several months and sold the vandalised copper wires to scavengers and scrap dealers for about N12,000 per kilogramme.
One quantity of copper wire was recovered, while police said efforts were ongoing to arrest the suspect’s alleged accomplice, identify others involved and trace the scrap dealers allegedly receiving the stolen materials.
The Command also recovered vandalised irons and cables, 14 locally made pistols, one double-barrel long gun, one live cartridge, seven cutlasses, 16 knives, 13 bags of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, a POS machine, assorted charms and a laptop.
The police boss said the recent attacks on the Coastal Road and Third Mainland Bridge were particularly concerning because they could undermine major government projects designed to improve transportation, connectivity and economic activities.
In relation to the arrest of alleged vandals, Engineer Olufemi Dare, Controller of Works, Federal Ministry of Works in Lagos State commended the CP and his men, particularly the coastal guards for working hard to secure lives and property across the State, including the coastal road.
Speaking on behalf of the Federal Minister for Works, Engineer David Umahi, at the inter-agency joint press briefing on happenings at the Coastal Road, Engr. Dare said, “Between January and now, 1,800 manholes have been stolen.
“What these vandals do is break the concrete cover and remove the iron reinforcement that is in it.”
“If you go to Coastal road, we have the clear view fence made of iron on the right hand and left hand sides to screen the community away from the coastal road, but we have a situation that these criminal elements will go there and remove them.”
He continued that 1,000metres, which is 1kilometre of the clear view fence have been vandalised and taken away.
According to him “Not that alone we have about 75 pieces of directional signs also cut and removed.”
The Controller of Works said such incidences saddened the Minister and lamented that while the Federal Government is doing everything possible to increase the infrastructure in the country, criminal elements are saying it is impossible.
He however charged that the ministry is not resting on its oars as the Police is determined to help arrest the development.
Reading the minister’s riot act, the engineer said, “Coastal road is not a safe haven for criminals, we will not relent on our oars, we will not let these criminals destroy what the Federal Government is doing… Some people are determined to vandalised some of these things, it is impossible.”
Speaking about alleged vandals in police custody, Dare said, “For these ones that have been arrested, we have about 12 of them that are here. I want to plead with CP to ensure that they are brought to book with the maximum punishment that is attached to their offence.
“About five of them have been charged to court like the CP said, we have another three here that created illegal U-Turn on the coastal road and were collecting money. All of these are not tolerated on the Coastal Road.”
He explained that the coastal road is not a trailer park, it is a super highway.
According to him, “If you enter it from Eko Atlantic, you would go straight to Calabar. There should be no Keke on the Coastal Road, if you drive a bicycle or tricycle on coastal road, you will be arrested, it would be cofisticated and you will never see it again.”
He also charged Lagos residents to avoid driving some vehicles on the road, “We don’t want trailers to park on the coastal road, we don’t want tricycle on coastal road, we don’t want bicycle, illegal U-Turn on coastal road, we don’t want destitutes on coastal road, rearing of animals; goats, sheep and cows are banned on coastal road. These are all we don’t want on coastal road. If your vehicle breaks down, call on the safety agents, we have Road Safety Corps there that would help you but if you leave it there, that vehicle will be towed away.”
