The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 11 suspects in separate operations for alleged vandalism and theft of public infrastructure along the newly constructed Coastal Road and Third Mainland Bridge.
The arrests formed part of operational activities recorded by the Command in August 2026 and were disclosed by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Olayiwola Fatai, during a press briefing on the Command’s security operations in the state.
Ten suspects were arrested on August 17 following intelligence gathered during investigations into the repeated vandalism of the newly constructed Coastal Road infrastructure.
According to the Command, vandalised iron materials were recovered during the operation, while preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were linked to the alleged repeated destruction and theft of materials from the road infrastructure.
The suspects have reportedly made statements concerning their alleged involvement in the offence, while the Command is working with relevant authorities to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
In a separate operation, police arrested a 28-year-old man, Chidiebere Ochiri, for allegedly vandalising and stealing government-installed CCTV camera cables, irons and other infrastructure on the Third Mainland Bridge.
During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to vandalising and carting away cables connecting CCTV cameras and iron materials installed along the bridge and its environs.
The suspect reportedly told investigators that he had been involved in the activity for several months and usually sold the vandalised copper wires to scavengers and scrap dealers for about ₦12,000 per kilogramme.
One quantity of copper wire was recovered as an exhibit.
The Command said investigation was ongoing to arrest the suspect’s alleged accomplice, identify other persons involved in the vandalism and trace scrap dealers allegedly receiving the stolen materials.
Speaking at the briefing, Fatai said the arrests and recoveries underscored the Command’s commitment to proactive, intelligence-led and community-oriented policing.
He also welcomed the Federal Controller of Works, Lagos State, Engr. Olufemi Dare, to the briefing, stressing the importance of inter-agency collaboration in protecting critical infrastructure and ensuring that major development projects are not undermined by criminal activities.
He said police formations across Lagos had continued to respond to credible information and conduct targeted operations to disrupt criminal activities, including stealing, robbery and vandalism.
“These operations have resulted in the arrest of suspects involved in stealing, robbery, vandalism, particularly on the Coastal Road and Third Mainland Bridge, and other criminal activities, as well as the recovery of stolen property and dangerous weapons,” the CP said.