9 months ago
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Motorists plying the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Thursday commended the Federal Government for the installation of streetlights on the Long Bridge area and called for the extension to all the sections of the expressway.
Our correspondent who monitored the ongoing installation of streetlights along the Kara-Warewa stretch of the Long Bridge observed that some streetlights had been installed within a stretch. At the same time, the installation was ongoing from the long bridge axis inward Kara.
Some motorists who spoke with PUNCH Metro on Thursday noted that the streetlights would help reduce cases of insecurity along the expressway.
A motorist, Kabiru Olawale, disclosed that the installation of streetlight facilities would curb incessant attacks by miscreants on the highway and help to reduce insecurity on the highway to the barest.
Olawale said, “It is a good thing that the Federal Government is installing streetlights along the Longbridge area of this expressway because it will help to reduce attacks from miscreants, especially at night. They should extend it to other parts of the road.”
Another motorist who identified himself simply as Dende lauded the installation while also calling for an extension to other sections of the expressway.
Dende said, “If you are a regular user of this road, you will understand the dangers of driving on this road at night. If your vehicle now develops a fault, then you will know what is at stake. So, it is good that they are installing the streetlights because we can now enjoy a smooth ride at night without fear of attack. But it will be good if they extend it to all the stretch of this road.”
When contacted for a reaction on a possible extension of the installation, the spokesperson for the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, Maryam Sanusi, asked our correspondent to send a WhatsApp message but was yet to respond to the message as of the time of filling this report.
Meanwhile, a source privy to the installation but not authorised to speak for the Federal Ministry of Works told our correspondent that the installation was facilitated by the ministry and coordinated by the Lagos zone.
“The installation is an initiative of the Federal Government and coordinated by the Lagos zone. I cannot speak on the stretch the installation will cover,” the source said.
The Long Bridge section of the expressway has been known for criminal activities with most of the crimes being perpetrated at night hours due to the absence of electricity along the area.
PUNCH Metro reported on December 13, 2023, that some suspected gunmen said to be dressed in military uniform allegedly kidnapped seven persons along the Fidiwo area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway just as one person was shot dead while escaping the attack.
A source who spoke on the condition of anonymity told our correspondent that the vehicle conveying the victims was accosted by the gun-wielding armed men who fired sporadically, abducted seven passengers of the vehicle, and escaped with the kidnapped victims into the bush along the expressway.
Our correspondent gathered further that a female passenger in another vehicle who saw the attack and attempted to flee was shot by the armed men leaving her in a critical condition while another unidentified woman was shot dead.
Similarly, some gunmen abducted the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, Philip Aivoji, and some other party chieftains along the Ogere area of the expressway.
Philip was reportedly kidnapped alongside other party members who were with him while returning from the party’s Stakeholders’ Zonal Caucus Meeting convened by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and held in Ibadan, the state’s capital.
Sources who craved anonymity revealed to our correspondent that the abductors demanded N200m for the release of the party leaders.
