DARKNESS HITS LAGOS-IBADAN LONGBRIDGE AS MORE STREETLIGHTS DISAPPEAR

Darkness has returned to the Longbridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway following the continued disappearance of solar-powered streetlights installed along the approximately five-kilometre bridge.

A recent visit showed that more of the streetlights had been removed, leaving only a small number of the installations standing along the highway.

The development comes weeks after reports that suspected vandals removed at least 168 solar-powered streetlights from the bridge.

The Longbridge stretches from the Warewa end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to the OPIC/Kara end of the highway.

During the earlier inspection, the streetlights were found to have been gradually removed only months after they were installed in 2025.

The suspected vandals appeared to have dismantled the installations by loosening the screws and nuts holding the poles to the bridge before taking them away.

In some sections, individual lights had been removed at intervals, while other stretches of up to 300 metres were left without streetlights. Some points also showed signs of forced removal.

However, Monday’s inspection indicated that the vandalism had continued. Only about 20 streetlights were still standing roughly three kilometres into the bridge, with a few others remaining near both ends.

The bridge is surrounded by host communities, including Arepo, Warewa, Banku, Mokore, Arigbede and Magboro.

A resident, Aminat Adio, said the removal of the streetlights had continued despite concerns raised by residents.

She said the identity of those behind the vandalism remained unknown and urged the authorities to investigate the continued destruction of the infrastructure.

Another resident, Bolu Adeogun, said the vandals appeared to be taking advantage of the limited pedestrian movement on the highway.

According to him, the streetlights around both ends of the bridge had largely remained intact because those areas had more regular human activity.

Most sections of the bridge are now plunged into darkness at night, raising concerns over the security of motorists using the route.

The Longbridge has previously been identified as a security concern, with reports of hoodlums attacking motorists whose vehicles break down on the bridge, particularly at night.

A resident identified as Moses expressed concern that the return of darkness could worsen the situation, citing previous reports of robbery, kidnapping and attacks on stranded motorists.

Following the earlier report on the vandalism, police operatives were observed at a makeshift post provided for them on the bridge.

The Federal Controller of Works in Ogun State, Michael Komolafe, had previously disclosed that some suspected vandals were arrested before he assumed office.

However, when contacted on Monday, Komolafe said he was unaware that more streetlights had been removed but expressed concern over the latest development.

He said he had previously met with police officers at the location and that the Divisional Police Officer had assured him that officers regularly patrolled the bridge.

Komolafe explained that the police patrols may have been affected after a vehicle deployed for the operation was involved in an accident, leaving one officer hospitalised.

He said the reduction in police presence may have created an opportunity for vandals to continue removing the streetlights.

The Federal Controller also expressed concern over the extent of the vandalism, saying the perpetrators appeared to be becoming increasingly emboldened.

He said there was currently no confirmed plan to replace the vandalised streetlights, although he had informed the relevant headquarters about the situation.

Komolafe stressed that any replacement programme would have to include measures to prevent the infrastructure from being vandalised again.

He warned that replacing the streetlights without addressing the security challenge could result in the same infrastructure being destroyed again.