The newly deployed CCTV surveillance system on the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge has led to the arrest of three vandals caught in the act of damaging public infrastructure.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, made this known while addressing the parade of the suspects, urging Nigerians to take collective responsibility for protecting public assets in their communities.
According to reports, the suspects were caught prying open 156 cat-eye reflective lights installed to improve road safety and aesthetics on the bridge. The criminal act was detected in real time by the CCTV monitoring team.
The suspects, who identified themselves as scavengers popularly known as “Bola,” were unable to provide coherent explanations during questioning.
Commending the police for their swift response, Umahi expressed concern over what he described as the indifferent attitude of some Nigerians toward public infrastructure. He also condemned the poor discipline displayed by motorists on a temporarily opened section of the coastal highway, which reportedly resulted in the death of a construction worker.
The minister directed the state controller of works to ensure the suspects are prosecuted and warned that the CCTV “eagle eye” installed on the Third Mainland Bridge will continue to monitor and deter criminal activities.
