Lagos Longbridge needs urgent security plan - Punch Newspapers

IN an era of worsening insecurity, the return of darkness to the Longbridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway should concern the Federal Government and security agencies. Indeed, the gradual disappearance of solar-powered streetlights along the approximately five-kilometre bridge is not merely an infrastructure problem; it is a security risk that demands urgent intervention. It is reported that the daily vehicular traffic on the expressway is between 25,000 and 60,000, making it Nigeria’s busiest artery. In August, PUNCH Metro reported that suspected vandals stole at least 168 solar-powered streetlights from the bridge. A follow-up visit last week showed that the situation had deteriorated, with only about 20 streetlights still standing roughly three kilometres into the bridge. A few other lights remained at both ends. The loss of 168 streetlights was already a serious warning. The further disappearance of installations, leaving only about 20 lights standing along a substantial portion of the bridge, shows that the warning was not heeded. The Longbridge, which stretches from the Warewa end of the expressway to the OPIC/Kara end in Lagos, is an important transport corridor linking Lagos and Ogun states. Its lighting infrastructure was installed in 2025 to improve visibility and safety along the highway, especially at night. Within months, the installations began disappearing. This is concerning. The scale and manner of the vandalism suggest that the perpetrators are not merely opportunistic thieves. Several of the poles appeared to have been carefully dismantled, with screws and nuts loosened before the installations were removed and ferried away.See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google In some sections, individual lights had disappeared at intervals, while stretches of about 300 metres had been completely stripped. That such extensive vandalism could continue on a major highway raises serious questions about surveillance, maintenance and security. The bridge is surrounded by host communities like Arepo, Warewa, Banku, Mokore, Arigbede and Magboro. Corporates and manufacturing concerns dot one side of the bridge, outward from Lagos. Yet residents say they have been unable to identify those behind the theft. One resident, Aminat Adio, said the removal had continued despite concerns raised about the vandalism. Another resident, Bolu Adeogun, noted that the lights at both ends of the bridge had largely remained intact, apparently because those areas experience higher human movement. His observation is a pointer to the criminal activities that thrive where surveillance is weak. Beyond the loss of public property, the Longbridge has previously been identified as a security concern, particularly for motorists whose vehicles break down at night, and also during the day. Reports of robbery, attacks and kidnapping on isolated sections of the expressway have heightened concerns about the vulnerability of stranded motorists. With most sections of the bridge now plunged into darkness, the authorities should not wait for criminal incidents to increase before acting. The government must therefore treat the vandalism as both an infrastructure and security emergency. Replacing the stolen lights without addressing the factors that enabled their removal would amount to repeating the same cycle. The authorities must determine how the installations were removed, where the stolen equipment is being taken and whether there are organised networks involved in receiving or selling the materials. Surveillance technology should form part of the solution. Strategic deployment of CCTV cameras, motion-activated surveillance systems and other monitoring equipment could help security agencies detect suspicious activity and identify perpetrators. The police post reportedly established on the bridge should also be properly equipped and strategically positioned to deter vandals and respond to emergencies. There must equally be a maintenance plan for the infrastructure. Public facilities cannot be installed and abandoned until they deteriorate or are stolen. Routine inspections should be conducted, with damaged or missing equipment reported and replaced promptly. The government should intensify public sensitisation in the surrounding communities. Residents should understand that streetlights and other public infrastructure are not government property in the abstract; they are community assets paid for with public funds and intended to improve safety and mobility. The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency and other relevant authorities must urgently restore lighting on the Longbridge and strengthen security around the installations. A dedicated police team should be assigned to provide round-the-clock security on the Longbridge. The security agencies, meanwhile, must investigate the vandalism and prosecute those responsible. Punch Editorial Board

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Punch Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now!

Stay in the know—fast. Get instant alerts, breaking headlines, and exclusive stories with the Punch News App. Download now and never miss a beat.