Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has ordered security agencies to arrest those responsible for the alleged vandalism of parts of the Festac-Alakija Bridge, warning that anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law.
The governor described the incident as criminal, barbaric and unacceptable, saying the state government would not allow individuals to damage critical public infrastructure.
Sanwo-Olu gave the directive after a video showing parts of the bridge being vandalised went viral on social media, raising concerns about the safety and stability of the major road infrastructure.
The video showed some rods attached to sections of the bridge had reportedly been removed. The development triggered widespread concern among residents and other Nigerians, with many calling for urgent action to prevent further damage.
Reacting to the incident, the governor said officials from the Lagos State Office of Infrastructure had inspected the bridge to determine the extent of the damage.
He said the inspection showed that the structural integrity of the bridge remained intact, but added that immediate remedial work would be carried out to protect the affected columns.
“I have been informed by officials of the Office of Infrastructure who visited the bridge that the structural integrity of the bridge is intact, and remedial work will be executed immediately to protect the columns,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor also directed security agencies to investigate the incident and identify those behind the vandalism.
He warned that the government would not treat the matter lightly, stressing that attacks on public infrastructure could put the lives of residents at risk.
“Anyone who is found to be culpable in this horrendous, shameful and condemnable incident will surely face the law,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu urged residents to remain alert and report suspicious activities around bridges, roads, streetlights, drainage systems and other government facilities.
He said members of the public had an important role to play in protecting infrastructure provided with taxpayers’ money.
The governor stressed that the state would not tolerate what he described as acts of violence and deliberate destruction of public property.
“Lagos has no place for such barbarism and acts of violence against our critical infrastructure and other facilities,” he said.
The Festac-Alakija Bridge is an important link in the road network serving communities and businesses along the Amuwo-Odofin and Ojo areas of Lagos.
Like other major bridges and roads in the state, the infrastructure carries a large volume of traffic daily and is important to movement between residential, commercial and industrial areas.
The reported vandalism has therefore raised concerns beyond the immediate damage, particularly over the possible consequences if vital structural components are removed.
Bridge vandalism is not a new challenge in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria. Public infrastructure, including road signs, streetlights, electrical cables, drainage covers, rail equipment and bridge components, has often been targeted by vandals seeking to make money from stolen materials.
The theft of metal components is particularly worrying because some of the materials are important to the safety and proper functioning of public structures.
When such items are removed without proper engineering supervision, they can weaken infrastructure and increase the risk of accidents or structural failure.
Although the Lagos Government said the Festac-Alakija Bridge remains structurally sound, officials have indicated that remedial work is necessary to protect the affected sections.
The incident has also renewed calls for stronger security around major infrastructure across the state.
Residents have increasingly relied on social media to draw attention to damaged roads, broken streetlights, blocked drainage channels and other problems affecting public facilities.
In this case, the video circulating online helped bring the alleged vandalism to wider public attention and prompted calls for immediate government intervention.
The government’s response is expected to focus on identifying the people behind the act and preventing a repeat of the incident.
Security agencies may also examine surveillance footage and information from residents and other witnesses as part of efforts to identify those responsible.
The governor’s warning is also coming at a time when Lagos is investing heavily in road construction, bridges and other transport infrastructure to improve movement and reduce traffic pressure across the state.
Damage to existing infrastructure could increase the cost of maintenance and force the government to spend additional public funds on repairs that could have been avoided.
For a state with a large and growing population, maintaining major roads and bridges is critical to economic activity.
The Festac-Alakija corridor connects several densely populated communities and is used by private motorists, commercial vehicles and businesses moving goods across different parts of Lagos.
Any prolonged closure or restriction on the bridge could therefore affect traffic and economic activities in the surrounding areas.
Beyond the immediate repairs, the latest incident is likely to raise questions about the need for stronger monitoring and protection of public infrastructure.
Government officials have repeatedly urged residents to take ownership of public facilities and report suspicious activities rather than allowing vandals to operate unchecked.
Sanwo-Olu’s appeal is in line with that approach, as the government seeks greater cooperation from communities in protecting public property.
The governor has made it clear that the state will pursue those responsible for the Festac-Alakija Bridge vandalism if they are identified.
For now, the state government says the bridge remains structurally sound, while remedial work is expected to be carried out on the affected sections.
The government’s immediate priorities are to protect the bridge, ensure the safety of road users and prevent further damage, while security agencies work to uncover those responsible.
The incident has also served as a reminder that the safety of major public infrastructure depends not only on government maintenance but also on the cooperation of residents.
As investigations continue, the Lagos Government has urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide information that could help security agencies arrest and prosecute the alleged vandals.