Prince Folorunsho Adegoke is a media professional and journalist with experience in digital, television and print journalism. He covers Nigerian affairs, African development, international relations, housing and economic issues.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered security agencies to identify and arrest those behind the vandalism of the Festac-Alakija Bridge.
The governor condemned the damage to the critical infrastructure and described the incident as a serious threat to public property.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, Sanwo-Olu warned that anyone found responsible would be prosecuted.
“Lagos will not tolerate any act of vandalism because it is barbaric and criminal,” the governor said.
Bridge Remains Structurally Sound
Despite the vandalism, the governor said an inspection by officials of the Lagos State Office of Infrastructure found that the bridge’s structural integrity remains intact.
Sanwo-Olu added that remedial work would begin immediately to safeguard the affected sections, particularly the bridge 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,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu Warns Against Attacks on Public Infrastructure
The Lagos governor described the vandalism as “horrendous, shameful and condemnable”, stressing that the state would not allow criminals to target critical infrastructure.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities around public facilities to the appropriate authorities.
“Anyone who is found to be culpable in this horrendous, shameful and condemnable incident will surely face the law,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He further appealed to Lagos residents to help protect public infrastructure from vandalism and other forms of deliberate destruction.
Investigation Underway
With security agencies now directed to pursue the perpetrators, authorities are expected to intensify surveillance around the affected bridge and other vulnerable public facilities.
The development also highlights the wider challenge of protecting critical infrastructure in Lagos, where damage to bridges and other public assets can disrupt transportation and impose additional repair costs on government.
