Federal Govt Plans Stronger Barriers As Vandals Target Manholes, Bridges, Signs On Coastal Highway

The federal government is considering replacing vulnerable clear-view fencing with more durable barriers as vandals intensify attacks on the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, targeting manhole covers, bridge components and directional road signs.

The federal controller of Works in Lagos State, Olufemi Dare, said criminal gangs were operating mostly at night, cutting through metal infrastructure despite security patrols, and warned that the scale of vandalism now threatened the safety and integrity of the multi-billion-naira project.

According to Dare, about five kilometres of clear-view fencing installed along the highway had been removed, while manhole covers covering approximately 18 kilometres had been stolen.

He added that vandals were breaking concrete structures to extract embedded reinforcement materials and dismantling directional signs for their metal components.

“The vandals… They come in the night. They remove the clear-view fence… They cut it. And they pack it away,” Dare told journalists on Monday.

Dare disclosed that the Lagos section of the coastal road had 20 major bridges, with construction ongoing at multiple locations. He said some personnel deployed to protect the infrastructure had been attacked, with two members of the Coastal Guard stabbed and photographic evidence of the assaults available.

In response, the Federal Ministry of Works is exploring alternative protective measures, including stronger barriers to replace the clear-view fencing that has been repeatedly stripped.

Police crackdown, traffic rules tightened

The security challenge has prompted closer collaboration between the ministry and the Lagos State Police Command. Dare said the State Commissioner of Police held meetings over the weekend and ordered increased deployment along the highway, with intensified enforcement already underway. At least 100 commercial motorcyclists were arrested on the road in the previous week, he added.

Beyond vandalism, authorities expressed concern over speeding, illegal parking by articulated vehicles, illegal U-turns, hawking, animal grazing, and the presence of commercial motorcycles and tricycles on the highway.

Dare warned that motorists must not exceed 30 kilometres per hour because construction is still ongoing, yet some were driving at 100–120km/h despite warning signs.

“Lives are being lost on the coastal road almost every other day,” he said.

Tow-away, ban on Okada/Keke, demolition of shanties

Trucks and trailers parked along the highway will be towed, while illegal U-turns and the operation of Okada and Keke Marwa on the road will attract enforcement action, Dare announced. He also disclosed that more than 10 illegal settlements had been identified along the corridor, with a crackdown planned on shanties and illegal occupants.

Hawking and sleeping on the highway median would no longer be tolerated, and animal grazing along the road has been banned.

Two-week compliance window, possible shutdown

The Minister of Works has directed the ministry to return to the highway in two weeks to assess compliance with the new measures. Dare warned that failure to record significant improvement could lead to the shutdown of the road.

“The government is determined to protect the infrastructure and prevent further loss of lives on the coastal highway. It’s not going to be business as usual,” he said.

According to him, the continued reckless use of the highway has contributed to frequent accidents and loss of lives.

“Lives are being lost on the coastal road almost every other day,” he said.

Dare warned that trucks and trailers parked along the highway would be towed away, while illegal U-turns and the operation of Okada and Keke Marwa on the road would attract enforcement action.

He also announced a crackdown on shanties and illegal occupants along the highway, saying more than 10 illegal settlements had been identified.

He warned that hawking and sleeping on the highway median would no longer be tolerated, while animal grazing along the road had also been banned.

The Federal Controller said the authorities had given users of the highway sufficient warning and would no longer tolerate activities that could undermine safety and the project’s integrity.

He further disclosed that the Minister of Works had directed the ministry to return to the highway in two weeks to assess compliance with the new measures.

Dare warned that failure to show significant improvement could lead to the road being shut down.

He said the government was determined to protect the infrastructure and prevent further loss of lives on the coastal highway. It’s not going to be business as usual,” he said.