Vandalism of critical road infrastructure

Iron  and aluminum scavengers are on the prowl. Sometimes, they operate under the cover of darkness to carry out their nefarious activities. In recent times, they have engaged in destroying and stealing manhole covers, iron rails and metals used to cover drainage channels or to protect transformers, bridge protective rails and rods in Lagos and other places. 

This has been happening in almost all the states. In January and February 2025, security agents recovered about 125 stolen manhole covers and some other public infrastructure such as solar street lights, armoured cables and transformer components during a raid at the Dei-Dei Pantaker (scrap) market in Abuja. Railway infrastructure has been vandalised in some parts of the country as well.

Transmission towers are not spared as they are also vandalised. Some of them have collapsed on account of this. A typical example is the recent collapse of the tower along the 330kV Ughelli-Benin transmission line in Delta State early this month. In 2024, vandals destroyed transmission towers and lines along the Ahoada-Yenagoa corridor. This led to a blackout that lasted for about four months in Bayelsa State.    

Recently, some construction materials and infrastructure such as metal railings, reinforced manhole covers, steel fencing and protective barbed wire on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway were also reportedly removed by vandals. Soon after its inauguration, the Second Niger Bridge suffered a similar fate. Vandals removed some fittings, including metal expansion joints, railings and some other facilities on the bridge.

Railings, solar lights and some materials were stolen from Third Mainland Bridge many times. Over 4,000 manhole covers have reportedly been vandalised and stolen by vandals in Lagos. The Lagos State Government reportedly replaced 241 manhole covers between June and December 2012. About 100 manholes and 500 gratings were replaced in 2013.

Recently, there were reports that vandals excavated and removed some metal fittings used to secure the Festac-Alakija flyover bridge pillar in Lagos. Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who confirmed this incident, said the main structure of the bridge remained intact. He assured residents that the structural integrity of the bridge has not been compromised.

He vowed that government would track and prosecute people responsible for the vandalism and those patronizsing them. In a joint overnight operation, some security agencies later arrested 27 suspects in connection with the incident. Curiously, officials from the Ministry of Works and project contractors later debunked the report of vandalism of the bridge. They said contractors were still at work and that the rough appearance of the bridge piles was part of ongoing remedial/jacketing work.

This notwithstanding, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, decried the vandalism of road infrastructure across the country, describing it as very disheartening, devilish, wicked, and unacceptable. “The President cannot be everywhere; he is not a spirit. The minister cannot be everywhere; governors cannot be everywhere, so we have to come together to protect our national assets,” Umahi said.

Vandalism of critical infrastructure is a serious crime. It amounts to economic sabotage and waste of scarce resources. Huge sums of money are spent to replace the vandalised parts. We cannot continue to condone this aberration for any reason.

Besides, it causes severe safety hazards. Removing manhole covers, for instance, can result in serious accidents or death. When roads are flooded, there is the tendency that people, including children and animals, may fall into the deep open manholes. Speeding bikes can run into it and summersault, leading to fatal accidents. Wheels, tyres, and steering systems of cars and trucks may be damaged when they hit open holes. A motorist swerving to dodge a hole can crash into other cars or even pedestrians. A vandalised bridge may be compromised or weakened, thereby resulting in either closure or collapse.   

We decry the destruction of critical road infrastructure across the country, especially in Lagos and Abuja. Civil Defence officials should redouble their efforts to protect the roads and bridges as well as rail tracks. Government can install Close-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras to protect the critical infrastructure.

Vandals that destroy solar lights on roads and bridges must be apprehended and prosecuted. These vandals have ready buyers for their stolen iron scraps. These buyers should be arrested and prosecuted too. The scavengers operate with ease in Lagos and Abuja. The security agencies should go after them.

Let there be public education against destruction of our critical road infrastructure. The National Orientation Agency or any other relevant agency should let the people know the dangers of vandalizing critical public assets.

Citizens should also report suspicious activities of vandals to security agencies for prompt action. Officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) arrested 13 suspects and impounded five trucks carrying stolen rail materials and sleepers in some parts of Kaduna last May. A special police squad should be established to help the NSCDC in protecting some critical infrastructure.