RismadarVoice Reporters
August 9, 2026
The Federal Government of Nigeria has introduced a dedicated security team to protect the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway from vandalism, illegal occupation and other activities that could damage the multi-billion-naira infrastructure project.
The initiative, known as the Coastal Highway Guards, was launched on Sunday by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, with an initial deployment of 40 personnel.
Jubril Gawat, Senior Special Assistant on New Media to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, announced the development in a statement posted on his X account.
According to Mr Gawat, the guards will maintain a constant presence along the highway and report suspicious activities to the relevant authorities.
Their responsibilities will also include monitoring and reporting vandalism, preventing hawking and restricting the use of motorcycles and tricycles on the highway.
They are also expected to prevent loitering and unauthorised occupation of sections of the road.
The team will be headed by retired General Adekunle Shodunke and will work in collaboration with security agencies operating in Lagos State.
Mr Umahi said the deployment should not be regarded as an empowerment programme but as a full-time security arrangement designed to protect public infrastructure.
According to the minister, the initiative forms part of the Federal Government’s efforts to safeguard national assets and ensure that the coastal highway is developed and maintained in line with the administration’s Renewed Hope agenda.
The decision followed concerns raised by the minister over the activities of individuals allegedly damaging or illegally occupying sections of the highway.
Mr Umahi said some individuals had been removing construction materials and damaging components of the project.
He specifically mentioned the removal of blocks and reinforcement rods, as well as the destruction of fencing around portions of the highway.
The minister described the activities as unacceptable and urged security agencies to take steps to prevent further damage.
He also directed the Works Controller in Lagos to ensure that motorcycles, tricycles, hawkers and other unauthorised activities were kept away from the highway.
Mr Umahi said the highway should not be used as a place for people to sleep, trade or engage in other activities unrelated to transportation.
He disclosed that officials, alongside members of the National Assembly, had visited portions of the highway late at night and found people sleeping on the road.
The minister said such practices posed security and safety risks and would no longer be tolerated.
Mr Umahi also called on the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to intensify its protection of strategic national infrastructure.
He said stronger surveillance and enforcement were necessary to prevent vandalism and other activities capable of undermining the government’s investment in the project.
The minister further disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Works had opened its ongoing projects to scrutiny by anti-corruption agencies as part of efforts to promote transparency and accountability.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a major federal infrastructure project designed to link Lagos with Cross River State along Nigeria’s coastline.
The planned highway spans approximately 750 kilometres and is designed as a 10-lane road connecting Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
The project is being constructed by Hitech Construction Company Limited under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Works.
