The Federal Government has recorded its first major breakthrough with the newly deployed CCTV surveillance system on the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge, as three suspected vandals were caught in real time while attempting to damage public infrastructure.
The suspects were arrested after CCTV operators detected them prying open 156 cat-eye reflective lights installed to improve road safety and aesthetics on the bridge. The arrest was announced during a parade of the suspects, monitored live by officials of the Ministry of Works and security agencies.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, urged Nigerians to take collective responsibility for protecting public infrastructure, warning that vandalism undermines national development and public safety. He expressed concern over what he described as growing indifference toward government assets.
The suspects, who claimed to be scavengers popularly referred to as “Bola,” were unable to provide coherent explanations for their actions during questioning. Umahi commended the Nigeria Police for their swift response and directed the state controller of works to ensure the suspects are prosecuted.
The minister also condemned reckless behavior by some road users on the temporarily opened section of the coastal highway, noting that such indiscipline recently led to the death of a construction worker. He warned that the CCTV “eagle eye” system on the Third Mainland Bridge is fully operational and will continue to track and deter criminal activities.
Authorities say the arrests demonstrate the effectiveness of the new surveillance infrastructure and signal a tougher stance against vandalism of public assets.
