Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos,
has ordered security agencies to identify and arrest those behind the vandalism of the Festac-Alakija Bridge, warning that perpetrators of attacks on public infrastructure will face the full weight of the law.
The governor described the incident as “barbaric and criminal”, stressing that Lagos would not tolerate the deliberate destruction of facilities built to serve the public.
Sanwo-Olu’s directive was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso.
The governor said he had received an assessment from officials of the state’s Office of Infrastructure, who inspected the affected bridge following the incident.
According to him, the inspection showed that the bridge’s overall structural integrity remains intact.
He, however, said immediate remedial work would be carried out to safeguard the bridge’s columns and prevent the damage from developing into a more serious structural problem.
“I have been informed by officials of the Office of Infrastructure who visited the bridge that the structural integrity of the bridge is intact and remedial work will be executed immediately to protect the columns,” the governor said.
Sanwo-Olu condemned the attack in strong terms, describing it as “horrendous, shameful and condemnable”.
He warned that individuals responsible for damaging the bridge would not escape prosecution once identified.
“Anyone who is found to be culpable in this horrendous, shameful and condemnable incident will surely face the law,” he said.
The governor stressed that critical infrastructure represents a significant public investment and should not become a target for criminal activity.
He added that the state would continue to take attacks on public facilities seriously, particularly where such acts could threaten public safety or disrupt transportation.
“Lagos has no place for such barbarism and acts of violence against our critical infrastructure and other facilities,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Beyond directing security agencies to pursue the perpetrators, Sanwo-Olu appealed to residents to play a role in protecting government infrastructure.
He urged Lagosians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity around public facilities to the appropriate authorities.
The call comes as the government moves to prevent further damage to infrastructure that millions of residents depend on for daily movement and economic activity.
While officials have confirmed that the Festac-Alakija Bridge remains structurally intact, the governor’s directive signals a firm response to the vandalism and a warning that attacks on essential public assets will attract serious consequences.
