The Federal Government has deployed 40 trained youths from host communities to patrol the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, safeguarding the multi-billion-naira infrastructure against vandalism and theft.
The recruits, trained by the Nigeria Police Force in Lagos on Tuesday, will operate in two shifts—20 on daytime patrol and 20 on night duty—to maintain round-the-clock surveillance along the corridor.
Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olufemi Dare, said the initiative followed a direct directive from Minister of Works Dave Umahi, prompted by rising incidents of criminal damage to the project. The guards, he explained, would support police operations by monitoring the route and reporting offenders, but would not exercise arrest powers—suspects would be handed over to the police for prosecution.
Mr Dare disclosed that vandals had already stolen approximately one kilometre of clear-view steel fencing and repeatedly removed manhole covers along an 18-kilometre stretch, despite contractor replacements. “We must not allow this huge investment by the Federal Government to be destroyed by criminals,” he said.
He warned that scavengers posing as scrap collectors, illegal dumpers, commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators, stationary trucks, and roaming livestock would no longer be tolerated on the superhighway. The ministry has procured 20 branded motorcycles—marked “Coastal Road Guards”—to support patrol teams, and any guard found engaging in misconduct would face prosecution.
The controller added that the ministry is collaborating with the Lagos State Government and relevant agencies to curb indiscriminate refuse dumping along the corridor, with offenders to face the full weight of the law.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) for Zone 2, Hakeem Ajasa, charged the recruits to act with discipline, professionalism and integrity, warning against extortion, abuse of authority, or jungle justice. “You are not there to collect money from anybody,” he stressed. He urged them to prioritise intelligence gathering, document offences with cameras or mobile phones, and work solely within their assigned communities.
Assistant Commissioner of Police and Area Commander for Area A, Godwin Idehai, described the coastal highway as a national asset deserving maximum protection, urging the guards to embrace community policing by partnering with residents to identify and apprehend criminals.
David Omaghomi, Community Relations Manager of HITEC Construction Company, said the security arrangement aligns with the contractor’s community engagement strategy, strengthening intelligence and surveillance rather than creating an armed enforcement unit. “We are the eyes and ears of the security architecture because we are closest to the communities,” he said, noting that most vandalism is perpetrated by outsiders rather than host communities. He warned that community representatives could be replaced if found wanting.
Speaking on behalf of the recruits, Kelvin Okereke, assistant team lead, commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works for the initiative, pledging to protect the highway’s infrastructure—including manholes, fencing, and road furniture—from vandalism.
The Lagos-Calabar coastal highway remains one of the Federal Government’s flagship infrastructure projects, designed to enhance connectivity, trade, and economic development across Nigeria’s coastal states.
