Suspected vandals have taken at least 168 solar-powered streetlights that were placed along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway’s Longbridge portion, according to report.
The purpose of the lamps, which were placed along the about five-kilometer-long bridge in 2025, was to increase traffic safety, especially at nite, by illuminating the congested area.
But barely a few months after they were installed, it was noticed that the lights started to progressively go out.
A visit to the bridge on Tuesday revealed that the street lighting infrastructure had been removed from a number of areas.
Approximately 168 solar-powered lamps had been taken down, according to a count of the vandalized locations from the OPIC end of the bridge toward Wawa.
The lights seemed to have been methodically disassembled by the suspected vandals, who then removed and carted them away after loosening the screws and nuts holding the poles to the bridge.
Additional observations revealed that some lights had been periodically removed, but others had been vandalized for up to 300 meters.
Additionally, there were indications at some of the places that the poles had been taken by force.
Every day, thousands of drivers use the Longbridge to connect Lagos with other regions of the nation.
Hoodlums are also known to attack drivers whose cars break down on the bridge, especially at nite.
It was therefore anticipated that the placement of the streetlights would offer illumination and aid in the reduction of such incidences.
However, drivers and business owners voiced worry that the solar-powered lighting were gradually going out, restoring the main route to darkness and putting drivers at greater risk.
According to a driver who went by the name Segun, the theft seemed to have been done in a methodical manner.
“This is very sad,” he remarked. Since no one would take down a street light in ten minutes, several persons methodically carried out the robbery. They must have taken their time, then.
“Now, the removal is progressively returning the area to its previous condition. It is challenging to see clearly in the dark, particularly when driving at nite. It is difficult to recognize persons standing by the side of the road or to see what is in front of you.
“This bridge is already known for attacks on drivers whose cars develop problems, which makes it frightening.”
Segun warned that the ongoing removal of the lights could make drivers more vulnerable to criminal attacks and encouraged the appropriate authorities to take prompt action.
Dade Aina, a Wawa business owner, also bemoaned the removal of a street light close to an underpass that connected the two sides of the area.
“There used to be a street light just by the underpass, but it was also removed early this year,” she stated. The area has remained dark ever since.
“The situation is getting concerning, but we don’t know who is responsible. The driver is already at risk when a car breaks down here at nite. You are aware of how dangerous Longbridge is. If people can be attacked or abducted there, how much more so in the absence of streetlights?
“It is easier for criminals to operate without being noticed if there is no light.”
It also noted that several poles had only one nut rather than the two necessary to secure them, suggesting that the damage may have been done gradually.
This implied that the vandals may have first loosened one nut, then come back to take out the second and eventually remove the poles.
According to Labake Aliu, another shop owner, the theft is thot to have occurred primarily at nite.
“No one knows exactly when they remove them, but we suspect it is mostly done at night,” she stated. When we reopen in the morning, folks traveling from the Longbridge direction are the ones who tell us about the most recent removal because the majority of us close our stores by 7 p.m.
Since this is an expressway, there is no way for us to know. However, it is probably carried out at nite.
A temporary checkpoint along the Longbridge Bridge in Lagos was earlier observed to be occupied by a few police personnel.
Despite the presence of security guards in the vicinity, another driver, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed alarm about the lights’ removal.
“The lights were installed for a reason,” he stated. The bridge used to be patrolled by police, and some of them were also spotted sitting at the temporary post along it.
However, it is unexpected that the solar lights continue to disappear in spite of their presence. This is more than simply the darkness; it might also raise the possibility of mishaps and criminal assaults.
“The authorities must identify the perpetrators and apprehend them before all the lights go out.”
The drivers demanded that the stolen street lights be replaced right away and that there be more security surrounding the bridge.
Additionally, they called on the appropriate authorities to step up their efforts to stop scavengers and other vandals who target public assets along the road.
Concerns have been made over the actions of scavengers who allegedly attack public infrastructure for scrap and recyclable items.
Richard Adeleye, Ogun State’s Federal Controller of Works, confirmed the theft when reached on Wednesday.
He stated that steps were being made to prevent a repeat and that some of the vandals responsible for the act had been apprehended and charged in court.
“The vandals have been detained and charged in court. This can be verified by the police. The arrests were made prior to my return to work as the acting controller, which was only a month ago. We are developing a plan to prevent the theft in the interim.
Oluseyi Babaseyi, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, revealed on Wednesday that suspected vandals working along the axis had been taken into custody.
He said the offenders were prosecuted in court to face the full force of the law after being detained while allegedly vandalizing vital infrastructure.
Babaseyi urged locals to report suspicious activity to the police as soon as possible, stating that the command is still dedicated to safeguarding vital infrastructure throughout the state.
“Suspected vandals in the act within that axis have been apprehended and charged with the full force of the law in court. Residents are urged to report unusual activity as soon as possible, and the command is steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding vital infrastructure. Say something when you see anything. “Be careful,” he advised.The development coincides with a previous incident in which unidentified scavengers broke concrete structures to remove imbedded iron rods, allegedly vandalizing the pillars supporting the bridge connecting Alakija and FESTAC in Lagos State.
Babatunde Akinbiyi, a spokesperson for the State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, stated that initiatives to raise public awareness of vandalism and capture offenders are still underway.
“It is not new; it is a recurring thing,” he stated. Vandals are doing it. You cannot let the broader public be impacted by your selfishness.
“We are making every effort to raise awareness in order to influence their thoughts. And the full force of the law will be applied to those caught in the process.
“Because you cannot permit the lives and safety of others to be impacted by your own avarice and obsession.”
