By Florencemary Nwabueze
LAGOS – The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 39 suspects, recovered 14 locally made pistols, one live shotgun, other dangerous weapons and a truck loaded with cartons of packets, in a series of intelligence-led operations across the state in August 2026, as authorities disclosed that vandals have stolen 1,800 manhole covers and destroyed one kilometre of fencing along the Lagos‑Calabar Coastal Highway since January, prompting the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, to declare war on infrastructure criminals.
In a coordinated press briefing with the Lagos state Police command at the state command Ikeja, the Minister of Works Dave Umahi, speaking through Lagos State Controller of Works Engineer Olufemi Dare, disclosed the staggering scale of infrastructure vandalism threatening the Federal Government's investment in the coastal road project. The minister described the situation as "madness" and declared that the government would respond with "madness" to protect the multi-billion naira highway.
Speaking at the briefing, CP Tijani said that the command remain committed to proactive, intelligence-led and community-oriented policing; stressing that officers have continued to respond swiftly to credible information from members of the public, while noting that the operations targeted suspected vandals, armed robbers, cultists, and other criminal elements involved in various offences, including the vandalism of critical government infrastructure. The command also recovered a truck loaded with cartons, one firearm, seven cutlasses, 15 knives, 13 bags of suspected illicit substances, a POS machine, and a laptop during the operations.
"Throughout the month of August, our officers and men across the state have continued to respond swiftly to credible information, carrying out targeted operations and disrupting criminal activities in different parts of the state," he said.
CP Tijani noted that one of the major operational successes was the arrest of nine suspects allegedly involved in the vandalism and stealing of iron materials from the newly constructed coastal road infrastructure. The suspects were arrested on August 17, 2026, following intelligence gathering and investigation into the vandalism of the coastal road. Vandalized iron materials were recovered during the operation, while preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were allegedly linked to the incessant vandalism of the infrastructure.
In another operation, the command arrested a suspected vandal over the alleged theft of government-installed CCTV camera cables and iron materials around the Tiamiyu Bridge. During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to the vandalisation and disclosed that CCTV camera cables and iron materials had been stolen along the bridge and its environs. The suspect also allegedly stated that he had been involved in the activity for several months and usually sold vandalised copper wires. Police recovered quantities of copper wires and iron materials during the operation.
The command also reported the arrest of Olamide Suleiman during a search operation around the Tiamiyu Bridge. He was allegedly found in possession of a locally made pistol concealed in a bag. According to the command, the suspect subsequently led operatives to another location where a double-barrelled gun was recovered from the roof of a building.
In response to a distress call that about 50 persons had allegedly gathered suspiciously in the Ijeshatedo area of Lagos, operatives moved to the area and arrested three suspects. Police said intelligence indicated that the gathering was connected with members of a cult group who had assembled to mark the initiation of a new member.
The command said investigation revealed that some of the suspects had recently assumed leadership positions within the group following the alleged death of its former leader. The suspects remain in custody as investigation continues. Credible intelligence on the alleged possession of firearms by suspected armed robbers also led to the arrest of six suspects, with two locally made pistols recovered during the operation.
Dare, representing Minister Umahi, said the scale of vandalism along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway was deeply concerning and threatening the Federal Government's investment in the project.
"What makes today's briefing very significant for us is that we point out particularly those who are fond of vandalising the work we have on this coastal road, particularly what we are using to construct," Dare said.
Giving details of the damage caused by the vandals, Dare said the 1,800 stolen manholes cover formed part of the drainage infrastructure on the coastal road. He explained that the vandals broke the concrete covers and removed the reinforcement iron embedded in them for sale.
"If you go to Coastal Road, the drainage system we have there is an underground drainage system, but at the ground level of it, you have what we call manhole covers. We use manholes to cover the drainage. So what happened is that between January and now, we have 1,800 of these manholes that have been stolen," he said.
The Controller also disclosed that approximately 1,000 metres of the clear-view fence installed on both sides of the highway had been vandalised and removed. About 75 directional signs had also been cut down and removed by vandals, creating serious challenges for motorists, particularly first-time users and visitors unfamiliar with the route.
Dare said the minister was deeply concerned that government's efforts to expand infrastructure across the country were being undermined by criminals.
"The Honourable Minister is so sad. Each time I report this issue to him, he will just reply me, 'I am so sad.' Because while the Federal Government is doing everything possible to increase the infrastructure that we have in the country, these criminal elements, they are saying it will not be possible," he said.
However, he said the government had declared war on the vandals and would intensify security operations along the highway. Quoting Umahi, Dare said: "There's madness in Lagos and we must face it with madness."
He commended the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Eddie Lawal, the officer in charge of the Coastal Road, Paul, and the personnel of the recently launched Coastal Guards for their efforts to secure the highway. Dare said the Coastal Guards had been working with the police by reporting suspected criminal activities along the route.
Dare also issued a stern warning to motorists and other road users against using the coastal highway for prohibited activities. According to him, trailers are not allowed to park on the highway, while tricycles, bicycles, illegal U-turns, destitution and the rearing of animals are also prohibited.
"We don't want trailer to park on Coastal Road. Coastal Road is not a trailer park. It is a superhighway. If you drive bicycle, if you drive tricycles, you will be arrested. You will be arrested and you will be confiscated and you will never see it again," he warned. He also warned residents against rearing birds, sheep and cattle along the road.
CP Tijani expressed concern over the vandalism of critical infrastructure, particularly the Tiamiyu Bridge and the newly constructed coastal road, noting that such acts cause financial losses and threaten government projects designed to improve transportation, connectivity and economic activities.
"The command will not allow criminals to undermine these development efforts," he warned.
He commended officers and men of the command for their professionalism, courage and dedication, while appreciating members of the public, community leaders, government agencies and other stakeholders for providing timely and credible information.
The police boss also disclosed that the command would continue to collaborate with the Ministry of Works and other relevant agencies to strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure and ensure that ongoing government projects were adequately secured.
He warned that Lagos would not become a safe haven for criminals involved in vandalism, robbery, stealing, conspiracy, kidnapping or other criminal activities. He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the police.
"Every credible piece of information can make a difference in preventing crime and protecting lives and property," he said. He assured that all suspects would be subjected to diligent investigation, while those found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law and their fundamental rights respected.
Dare also disclosed that the police had arrested 12 suspects over alleged vandalism of infrastructure and the creation of illegal U-turns along the highway. According to him, nine of the suspects were arrested in connection with alleged vandalism, while three others were apprehended for allegedly creating illegal U-turns and collecting money from motorists who used the unauthorised openings.
Five of the suspects had already been charged to court, while investigations were ongoing into the others to uncover the wider network allegedly responsible for receiving and disposing of stolen government property.
Dare said the authorities were determined to trace the receivers of the vandalised materials, stressing that the fight against infrastructure vandalism would not end with the arrest of those removing the facilities.
"Many of them have been arrested, and some of them are even being charged because those you are seeing here are those that are yet to be charged because they are still investigating their activities in order to get to the root of the matter," he said.
Dare congratulated Commissioner Lawal on his elevation and praised him for responding whenever the Ministry of Works requested security support. He described the joint briefing as the first of its kind between the Ministry of Works and the Lagos State Police Command, saying the collaboration was necessary to protect the coastal highway and safeguard the Federal Government's investment in the project.
Dare urged the police to ensure that the suspects arrested were prosecuted and, if found guilty, subjected to the maximum punishment prescribed by law.
"We want these people to be paraded. We want Nigeria to see people that are undermining the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria. We want them to be paraded and to be charged with maximum punishment," he said.
The Commissioner of Police also welcomed Dare to the briefing, stressing the importance of collaboration between security agencies and government institutions in protecting critical infrastructure across the state.