FG Trains 40 Youths to Protect Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway from Vandalism

FG Trains 40 Youths to Protect Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway from Vandalism

The Federal Government has trained 40 youths from host communities to help protect the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, one of Nigeria's largest ongoing road infrastructure projects.

The initiative, led by the Federal Ministry of Works in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, is aimed at preventing vandalism, illegal activities, and the destruction of public infrastructure along the multi-billion-naira highway corridor.

Why the FG Introduced the Coastal Road Guards

According to the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr. Olufemi Dare, the programme was approved by the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, following repeated incidents of vandalism on the highway.

Authorities revealed that criminals have been stealing valuable road infrastructure, including:

Steel security fences

Manhole covers

Directional road signs

Other public road facilities

Officials disclosed that nearly one kilometre of steel fencing had already been stolen, while manhole covers have been repeatedly removed across an 18-kilometre stretch of the highway despite several replacements.

How the Security Team Will Operate

The 40 trained youths will work under the supervision of the Nigeria Police Force.

To ensure round-the-clock surveillance:

20 guards will patrol during the day.

20 guards will handle night patrols.

The recruits are not law enforcement officers. Their primary responsibility is to monitor activities, gather intelligence, report suspicious movements, and hand over suspects to the police for prosecution.

20 Motorcycles Deployed for Patrol

To improve mobility and rapid response, the Federal Ministry of Works has provided 20 brand-new motorcycles branded "Coastal Road Guards."

The motorcycles will enable patrol teams to monitor large sections of the highway more efficiently.

Illegal Activities Now Prohibited on the Highway

The ministry warned that several activities will no longer be tolerated along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, including:

Infrastructure vandalism

Scrap metal scavenging

Illegal refuse dumping

Commercial motorcycles (Okada)

Tricycles (Keke)

Stationary heavy-duty trucks

Roaming livestock

Anyone caught violating these regulations may face prosecution under Nigerian law.

Police Warn Against Abuse of Authority

During the training, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Hakeem Ajasa, reminded the recruits to carry out their duties professionally.

He warned them against:

Extorting road users

Taking the law into their own hands

Misusing their authority

Instead, the guards were instructed to gather evidence, document offences with mobile phones where necessary, and immediately hand suspects over to the police.

Community Policing at the Core

Officials described the initiative as a community policing strategy designed to involve residents in protecting government infrastructure.

According to HITEC Construction Company, which is handling sections of the project, investigations indicate that many acts of vandalism are carried out by outsiders rather than members of the host communities.

Residents were therefore encouraged to report suspicious individuals and help safeguard the national asset.

Why the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Matters

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is one of the Federal Government's flagship infrastructure projects.

The road is expected to:

Improve transportation across Nigeria's coastal states.

Boost regional trade and commerce.

Reduce travel time.

Create employment opportunities.

Stimulate economic growth and tourism.

Protecting the project is considered essential to ensuring taxpayers receive long-term value from the massive public investment.

Final Thoughts

The deployment of trained community-based security guards represents a new approach to protecting critical national infrastructure. If effectively managed, the initiative could significantly reduce vandalism while encouraging stronger cooperation between local communities and security agencies.

However, the programme's success will depend on accountability, continuous monitoring, and strict enforcement against anyone who attempts to damage public property.

>>>> Do you think involving local youths is the right strategy to protect the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway? Share your opinion in the comments below, and don't forget to share this article with others to join the conversation.

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