Agorehmi Bright, Reporting
THE Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, has called for a multi-agency approach to tackle vandalism, theft and other criminal activities along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
The Command made the call on Friday, September 11, 2026, during a joint inspection of an 18-kilometre portion of the coastal highway by the NSCDC, the Federal Ministry of Works and the Nigeria Police Force.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a 750-kilometre superhighway project stretching from Victoria Island in Lagos to Calabar in Cross River State.
The NSCDC said the scale and importance of the project made adequate protection necessary, describing the highway as one of Nigeria’s Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI).
The joint inspection team comprised the Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr Adedotun Keshinro, fnarc; the Federal Controller of Works, Lagos State, Engr Olufemi Dare; and the Nigeria Police Force officer in charge of the Coastal Road.
The inspection covered the 18-kilometre section from Okun-Ajah to Oniru, where the team examined the ongoing construction work and security challenges affecting the project.
Speaking during the inspection, Engr Dare affirmed that the directive of the Minister of Works, Engr Dave Umahi, to protect the integrity and sanctity of the road remained sacrosanct.
The Federal Controller of Works also highlighted the scale of construction activities taking place along the route, including flyovers, interchanges and deep-piling bridge infrastructure.
The NSCDC Lagos State Commandant, Mr Keshinro, reiterated the Command’s commitment to protecting Critical National Assets and Infrastructure across the state.
He recommended the involvement of relevant security agencies and community stakeholders in a coordinated approach to tackling vandals and other criminal elements operating along the highway.
The Command said several criminal activities had been observed along the road, including vandalism, theft of manhole covers and iron rods, destruction of fencing and stripping of construction materials.
It also identified illegal traffic operations, particularly the creation of unauthorised U-turns by individuals, as another challenge requiring attention.
The NSCDC said a coordinated security strategy involving security agencies and communities around the project corridor would help safeguard the infrastructure and curb criminal activities along the highway.
The statement was signed by SC Oluwaseun Abolurin, Civil Defence Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, on Friday, September 11, 2026.
