The Lagos state police command says its operatives have arrested 12 suspects for alleged vandalism and theft of government infrastructure along the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.
Fatai Tijani, commissioner of police in Lagos, paraded the suspects at a joint press conference with Olufemi Dare, controller of works in Lagos, at the command’s headquarters in Ikeja on Thursday.
The police commissioner said the suspects, aged between 19 and 32, were arrested on Monday, August 17, following intelligence gathered during investigations into repeated cases of vandalism along the highway.
Tijani said some vandalised iron materials were recovered from the suspects, adding that preliminary investigations had linked them to the alleged offences.
He said the “suspects have also made statements regarding their alleged involvement in the offence.”
He described the vandalism of the coastal road infrastructure as a cause for concern, saying it could undermine government projects aimed at improving transportation, connectivity and economic activity.
Tijani assured that the suspects would undergo diligent investigation, adding that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He urged Lagos residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the police.
The commissioner said the command would continue to work with the federal ministry of works and other stakeholders to strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure.
He also commended police officers, community leaders, government agencies and other stakeholders for providing credible information that led to the arrests.
Tijani reiterated the command’s commitment to proactive, intelligence-led and community-orientated policing, noting that Lagos would not be a safe haven for criminals.
On his part, the controller of works in Lagos, who represented David Umahi, minister of works, commended the police for arresting the suspects and protecting infrastructure along the coastal highway.
Dare said the federal government had invested trillions of naira in the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project and would not allow criminals to undermine the effort.
He said about 1,800 drainage covers had been installed on the road since January, but some had been vandalised, with the concrete covers broken and reinforcement materials removed.
Dare added that about one kilometre of the clear-view fence installed along the road had been removed by vandals.
He said about 75 directional signs had also been removed, warning that such acts could compromise safety and the proper use of the road.
According to him, the police had also arrested some people allegedly operating illegal toll points along the coastal road.
Dare said the road is not a truck park or trading area, warning that illegal parking, trading, bicycle riding, motorcycle riding and the movement of animals would not be tolerated on the highway.
He urged Lagos residents to report suspicious activities along the road to the police and other relevant authorities.
The controller commended the Lagos state police command, contractors and other stakeholders for their efforts to protect the project.
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