Sanwo-Olu confirms vandals stole Lagos-Badagry bridge fittings, assures structure safe

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has confirmed that vandals excavated and stole fittings used to secure a bridge pole at Vin-Niger, near the Alakija axis of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. The governor spoke after an on-the-spot assessment of the vandalised bridge pole on Saturday, according to a statement on the Lagos State Government's official X account.

Sanwo-Olu assured residents that the bridge's structural integrity had not been compromised. He said the bridge and the work carried out on it remained safe, but warned that the state government would pursue those responsible, including anyone involved in buying and selling stolen public infrastructure materials.

Governor vows to punish vandals

The governor described the vandalism as unacceptable and urged residents to report suspicious activities to authorities. He said the government would not relent in bringing those responsible to justice, regardless of their status or background.

According to the statement: "The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Saturday, carried out an on-the-spot assessment of a vandalised bridge pole at Vin-Niger, along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area." It also said Sanwo-Olu assured residents that the structural integrity of the bridge had not been compromised, and that "some fittings used to secure the bridge had been excavated and taken away by vandals."

Sanwo-Olu also expressed concern over continued vandalism in Festac Town, including the destruction of drainage slabs and theft of iron rods on Second and Seventh Avenues. He had earlier directed security agencies to go after criminals who vandalised the Festac-Alakija Bridge.

"Lagos will not tolerate any act of vandalism because it is barbaric and criminal. 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.

Minister condemns attacks on public assets

Minister of Works David Umahi also condemned the vandalism of road infrastructure across the country, describing the destruction of public assets as "devilish", "wicked" and unacceptable.

Sanwo-Olu commended the Lagos State Police Command, Rapid Response Squad, Lagos State Neighbourhood Watch and members of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) for their intervention and responsiveness to the incident. He said the inspection was part of his administration's ongoing efforts to clean up the Lagos-Badagry Expressway corridor and safeguard public infrastructure.

Infrastructure push in Lagos

In May 2025, the Lagos State Government said it had completed 61 roads spanning 56.52 kilometres and five bridges across the state within one year. Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Engr. Olufemi Daramola, said the projects were delivered to enhance mobility.

Daramola said the government was also fast-tracking work on 147 other ongoing road and bridge construction projects across Lagos. Some of the projects had already been completed and were awaiting commissioning. The state government said the ongoing infrastructure projects form part of its efforts to improve transportation and connectivity across Lagos.