Lagos Authorities Detain 27 Suspects in Connection with Bridge Damage

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The Lagos State Government has arrested 27 suspected hoodlums for allegedly vandalising a newly constructed bridge linking Festac Town to Alakija during a midnight enforcement operation.

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The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, saying the arrests followed the discovery of what he described as a “disturbing act of vandalism” beneath the bridge.

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According to Wahab, investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly removed iron rods, steel reinforcements, cables and other components critical to the bridge’s structural integrity.

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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.”

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Wahab warned that the destruction of the bridge components posed a major safety risk.

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

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The commissioner said a joint midnight enforcement operation involving operatives of the Rapid Response Squad and the Kick Against Indiscipline task force led to the suspects’ arrest.

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

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Reaffirming the government’s resolve to protect public assets, Wahab said enforcement operations against vandals and other offenders would continue.

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“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 stated.

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