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The federal government has raised the alarm over the growing vandalism of critical infrastructure along the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, revealing that about 1,800 manhole covers, 1,000 metres of perimeter fencing and 75 road signs have been stolen since January 2026. The disclosure was made in Lagos on Thursday by the Federal Controller, Ministry of Works in Lagos State, Engineer Dare Olufemi, who represented the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, at a joint press briefing with the Lagos State Police Command. The briefing was held in connection with the arrest and parade of suspects allegedly involved in the vandalism and theft of public infrastructure along the coastal highway corridor. Olufemi said the scale of the destruction was becoming a serious threat to the safety, durability and long-term sustainability of the multi-billion-naira project. According to him, the highway’s underground drainage system is protected by reinforced concrete manhole covers designed to facilitate efficient water flow and safeguard the road infrastructure. He explained that vandals had been breaking the concrete structures to remove the steel reinforcements embedded in them for sale. “Between January and now, about 1,800 manhole covers have been vandalised and stolen. The perpetrators destroy the concrete structures and cart away the iron materials inside them,” he said. The official also disclosed that approximately one kilometre of clear-view perimeter fencing installed along both sides of the highway had been removed by vandals. The fencing, he explained, was designed to provide a protective barrier between adjoining communities and the highway. Also stolen were about 75 directional road signs installed to assist motorists and visitors navigating the route. The Federal Ministry of Works described the development as a major setback to the government’s infrastructure development efforts, warning that vandalism could increase project costs and expose road users to avoidable dangers. The ministry commended the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, police officers deployed along the coastal road corridor and members of the recently inaugurated Coastal Guard for their efforts in protecting the project. It said the Federal Government would intensify collaboration with security agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute individuals involved in the destruction and theft of public infrastructure. The ministry also appealed to residents and road users along the corridor to remain vigilant and provide credible information to security agencies whenever suspicious activities are observed. The Lagos State Police Command, on its part, reaffirmed its commitment to protecting government infrastructure and sustaining operations against vandals and other criminal elements across the state. The latest development has renewed concerns over the protection of major infrastructure projects as the Federal Government continues work on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, one of the country’s major ongoing road projects.
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