The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 12 suspects for allegedly vandalising and stealing government infrastructure along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
The suspects, aged between 19 and 32, were arrested on Aug. 17 following intelligence gathered during investigations into repeated cases of vandalism along the highway.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr Fatai Tijani, disclosed this on Thursday at a joint press conference with the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr Olufemi Dare, at the command headquarters in Ikeja.
Tijani said some vandalised iron materials were recovered from the suspects, while preliminary investigations had linked them to the alleged offences.
He said the suspects had also made statements concerning their alleged involvement, adding that those found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The commissioner described the vandalism of the coastal road infrastructure as a major concern, warning that it could undermine government efforts to improve transportation, connectivity and economic activities.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities along the highway, assuring that the police would continue to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Works and other stakeholders to protect critical infrastructure.
Dare, who represented the Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, commended the police for the arrests and efforts to protect the project.
He said the Federal Government had invested trillions of naira in the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and would not allow criminal activities to undermine the project.
According to him, about 1,800 drainage covers have been installed along the road since January, but some have been vandalised, with concrete covers broken and reinforcement materials removed.
He added that about one kilometre of the clear-view fence installed along the highway had been removed by vandals, while approximately 75 directional signs had also been stolen.
Dare said the police had equally arrested some persons allegedly operating illegal toll points along the coastal road.
He stressed that the highway was not a truck park or trading area, warning that illegal parking, trading, bicycle and motorcycle riding, as well as the movement of animals, would not be tolerated.
He urged residents to report suspicious activities along the highway to the police and other relevant authorities.