Lagos State Government has arrested 27 suspected hoodlums for allegedly vandalising critical components of the newly constructed bridge linking Festac Town to Alakija, warning that the act posed a serious threat to public safety and the integrity of the infrastructure.
The suspects were apprehended during a midnight enforcement operation carried out by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) task force, following reports of vandalism beneath the bridge.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed the arrests in a statement issued on Friday, describing the incident as a “disturbing act of vandalism.”
According to him, investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly removed iron rods, steel reinforcements, cables and other structural materials essential to the stability of the bridge.
“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
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He warned that the destruction of the bridge’s structural components endangered lives and undermined government investment in critical infrastructure.
“This criminal act poses a serious threat to public safety and undermines the government’s investment in critical infrastructure,” he added.
Wahab said the 27 suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the laws of Lagos State.
“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 reaffirmed the state’s commitment to protecting public assets, stressing that enforcement operations against vandals, environmental offenders and other criminal elements would be sustained.
“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.