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By Philip Nwosu
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, has raised serious concerns about the growing insecurity on pedestrian bridges across Lagos, warning residents to exercise caution when using them, particularly at night.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its Congress held in Lagos, the Union alerted the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Police to the increasing danger posed by hoodlums and robbers who have turned many pedestrian bridges into hideouts from where they attack unsuspecting pedestrians, especially around 7 p.m.
According to the Union, several residents have fallen victim to assaults, robberies, and harassment on these bridges, which were originally constructed to ensure pedestrian safety. It therefore called on the police and other security agencies to intensify patrols and surveillance around such locations to restore public confidence and safety.
The communiqué also urged the Lagos State Government to step up efforts to address the growing menace of “one-chance” robberies in commercial vehicles, which continue to threaten commuters in the state. The Union advised residents to board vehicles only from recognised and designated motor parks, stressing that doing so would minimise the risk of falling prey to criminal gangs operating on major routes.
Beyond security concerns, the Union also drew the government’s attention to the need for fair and even distribution of infrastructural and social amenities across the state. It noted that while Lagos has witnessed commendable progress in infrastructure development under the current administration, most of the projects appear to be concentrated on the Island axis, often at the expense of the Mainland, where the majority of Lagos residents live.
The communiqué specifically mentioned the Alimosho area as one of the localities lagging behind in the state’s development drive, calling on the government to spread its projects more equitably to foster inclusiveness and balanced growth.
While commending Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration for its commitment to urban renewal, road construction, and environmental projects, the NUJ emphasized that development must be felt in every community, not only in the city’s commercial centres.
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The Union further expressed concern over the alleged misuse of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed across the state by officials of the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA). It alleged that instead of using the cameras to improve traffic management and support the state’s security architecture, some officials have turned them into tools for extorting motorists over expired vehicle documents.
The Union called on the Lagos State Government to urgently investigate the matter and ensure that the surveillance system serves its intended purpose of monitoring traffic flow and enhancing public safety.
On the social front, the Union decried the alarming rate of drug abuse among youths and urged the government to empower law enforcement agencies to clamp down on the sources of illegal substances. It further alleged that some courier companies are being used as channels for the distribution of illicit drugs, a situation it described as dangerous to the state’s social fabric.
To address the problem sustainably, the Union recommended that the government expand vocational training and skills acquisition programmes to meaningfully engage young people and discourage them from drug-related activities.
The communiqué also lamented the widespread practice of open defecation, public urination, and indiscriminate waste dumping, which often result in blocked drainages and flooding. It urged the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and related agencies to intensify public enlightenment campaigns on environmental hygiene and civic responsibility.
The Union commended the Lagos State Government for the success of its “Light-Up Lagos” project, which has improved nighttime visibility and reduced crime in some areas, as well as the ongoing upgrade of general hospitals and other health facilities.
However, the NUJ urged state officials and political office holders to lead by example by patronising government-owned hospitals instead of seeking medical treatment abroad. Such a gesture, the Union said, would boost public confidence in the state’s healthcare system and encourage continuous improvement in service delivery.
