Metro

Why We Shun Pedestrian Bridges Despite Risks, Despite Punitive Measures — Lagosians

Published

2 hours ago

September 6, 2025

…‘We’ve prosecuted over 4,000 offenders since January 2024 —LAGESC

Mojeed (other name withheld) was in a hurry to catch an early morning BRT bus that fateful Monday. He lives at Iyana Ipaja on the Lagos Mainland and works on Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island. Already running late, he decided to circumvent the law to save time. He knew the regulation was clear—pedestrians must use the pedestrian bridge—but like many Lagosians, he only complied when enforcement officers were in sight.

Nothing suggested that trouble was lurking. He had just crossed the busy highway and was heading towards the bus station when operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) accosted him.

Asked why he ignored the pedestrian bridge, Mojeed gave an incoherent excuse. Within minutes, he was bundled into a waiting Black Maria alongside other offenders. He was held for over three hours before being released, his plan to get to work on time completely defeated.

“It was such a regrettable incident for me,” he admitted.

Unfortunately, Mojeed’s experience is far from unique. Despite the Lagos State government’s huge investment in pedestrian bridges across the state and the introduction of punitive measures to enforce compliance, many residents still risk their lives daily by running across expressways instead of using the bridges.

A Saturday Tribune investigation revealed that, like Mojeed, several pedestrians prefer the dangerous option of crossing highways. But unlike him, many Lagosians who spoke to Saturday Tribune defended their choices, citing insecurity, poor sanitation, the strenuous climb and time-wasting as reasons for avoiding pedestrian bridges.

Security concerns on pedestrian bridges
Agnes, a resident of Iyana Ipaja who works with an advertising agency in Ikeja GRA, told Saturday Tribune that she often feels unsafe using pedestrian bridges, particularly at night.

“When the state government was building the pedestrian bridge at PWD along the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway, we were happy. We thought it would reduce accidents and traffic chaos. But now, the bridge is often deserted except for self-appointed sweepers and area boys hanging around. I get scared, and sometimes I would rather cross the expressway and face the consequences,” she said.

Anthony Imaseun, a 27-year-old graduate of the University of Benin who works with a construction firm on Victoria Island, shared a similar fear. For him, the menace of hoodlums loitering around Sandfill pedestrian bridge is a major deterrent.

“They smoke weed openly in broad daylight. Nobody checks them. How can we be sure anyone will come to your aid if you are attacked on that bridge?” he asked.

Anthony, however, believes the situation can be salvaged. “Government should install security cameras and provide visible security presence. That assurance alone will make more people use the bridges,” he suggested.

Sanitation and accessibility issues

For Evelyn Ilo, a Jakande Estate resident who works in Apapa, dirt and encroachment discourage her from using pedestrian bridges.

“Some of the bridges have been turned into public toilets or mini-markets by traders. The filth is unbearable and you don’t feel safe walking there. I prefer to cross the expressway, even though I know it’s risky,” she said.

Evelyn advised the government to improve cleanliness, remove hawkers, provide lighting and install ramps or escalators to make bridges accessible to the elderly, children and the physically challenged.

Christopher Chukwuka also lamented the dilapidated state of many pedestrian bridges. “At night, they are dangerous. Hoodlums block your way from both ends, leaving no escape. Until government fixes the bridges and provides security, I’d rather cross the road,” he declared.

Taiwo, a resident of Mowe who works in Lagos, echoed similar concerns. “The pedestrian bridge in Mowe is dark and unsafe at night. The climb is also stressful, especially for the elderly and disabled. Yet, the risk of crossing the expressway is enormous because many lives have been lost to speeding vehicles. Government must light up these bridges and build more along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway,” he advised.

Mixed views: Safety vs. inconvenience

Not all Lagosians avoid the bridges. Olamide, a journalist, said he prefers using them.

“The expressways are too dangerous. I have seen too many near-accidents to take that risk. But the bridges themselves are not always pleasant; they are dirty, poorly lit and sometimes filled with miscreants. Government must maintain them better and make them user-friendly. If that happens, more people will abandon the risky habit of dashing across the road,” he said.

Government’s enforcement drive

Despite these concerns, the Lagos State government insists that enforcement remains non-negotiable.

Recently, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the government would continue to deploy enforcement strategies to ensure compliance.

Confirming this, Director of Public Affairs, Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), Lukman Ajayi, told Saturday Tribune that enforcement is ongoing.

“On Friday, we arrested 18 offenders at 7&8 Bus Stop, Onipanu, and Fadeyi for failing to use pedestrian bridges. Since January 2024, no fewer than 4,000 offenders have been arrested and prosecuted. The exercise will continue until residents comply fully,” Ajayi stated.

For now, however, the gulf remains wide between government’s insistence on compliance and residents’ reluctance to climb the bridges provided for their safety. Until issues of security, sanitation, and accessibility are addressed, many Lagosians may continue to risk their lives crossing highways, despite the danger, despite the law.
(TRIBUNE)

Metro

Lagos Designer, Deb’rah Porsche Killed By Ex

Published

23 minutes ago

September 6, 2025

Editor

An interior designer, identified as Deborah Moses, popularly known as Deb’rah Porsche, has been allegedly murdered in Lagos by her ex-boyfriend, months after she ended their relationship.

The incident, which occurred late Wednesday night, has sparked outrage among family members, neighbors, and rights activists, who are demanding justice for the slain young woman.

According to reports, the suspect, identified simply as Lintex, a native of Otukpo in Benue State, allegedly disguised as a dispatch rider to gain access to the estate where Deborah lived.

When security operatives became suspicious, he reportedly scaled the fence into the compound and proceeded to her apartment.

It was learned that the suspect first attempted to cause an explosion by cutting the cooking gas pipe outside the house. When that plan failed, he allegedly broke into Deborah’s residence and stabbed her multiple times until she died. A relative of the victim said Deborah ended the relationship over a year ago but had been repeatedly threatened by the suspect.

“They have broken up for more than a year now, but this guy refused to move on. He keeps making statements like, ‘If I don’t have you, nobody will. If I don’t marry you, blood will flow,’” the relative said. She added that Deborah, who had just completed her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme and was gradually building her career, had been avoiding strange calls and unwanted advances from the suspect before the tragedy.

“She was only trying to find her feet when this tragedy struck,” the grieving sister said.

Neighbors restrained the suspect after the attack before handing him over to the police. He is currently in custody, while activists and family members have called for a thorough investigation, warning that the case must not be swept under the carpet.

Metro

How Man Killed Younger Brother, Hid Body In Drum — Police

Published

27 minutes ago

September 6, 2025

Editor

A man, Eze Elechi Amadi has explained why he killed his 18-year-old younger brother, Otu Ifeanyi, in Kajola, in Odigbo council area of Ondo state.

Amadi who was paraded by the police alongside 99 other suspected criminals in Akure, the state capital, weekend, was arrested while trying to dispose the body of his deceased brother

Police commissioner, Adebowale Lawal, said that “on 26th August, 2025 at about 3pm, one Oluwafemi Oladipupo of Paragon Street, Kajola, reported at Kajola Divisional Headquarters that he observed a blue plastic drum in front of his residence, tied at the mouth with a black rope.

“Upon inspection, the lifeless body of one Otu Ifeanyi, aged 18 years, who was later identified as the younger brother of the suspect, was discovered inside the drum. The drum was being transported on a motorcycle by one Eze Elechi Amadi ‘m’. While attempting to convey the drum to an unknown location for disposal, it fell off the motorcycle.

Lawal said that “the suspect was immediately apprehended. During interrogation, he confessed to having killed his younger brother over a financial dispute, alleging that the deceased had unlawfully transferred ¦ 20,000.00 from his Ecobank account.

“The corpse has been deposited at the mortuary while further investigation is ongoing. The suspect will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation”.

Speaking on the suspected criminals arrested across the 18 council area of the state, the police commissioner, said they were allegedly involved in crimes such as murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, unlawful possession of substances suspected to be hard drugs, and theft, among others.

Lawal noted that the arrests were made possible through the efforts of the men of the command and the cooperation of the residents of the state, who supplied the command with the right information.

According to him “In the past weeks, our command has recorded remarkable breakthroughs in crime prevention, detection, and prosecution—achievements that reflect not only the gallant efforts of our officers and men, but also the invaluable cooperation of the good people of Ondo State.

“We have arrested a total number of 100 suspects who were involved in crimes such as murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, unlawful possession of substances suspected to be hard drugs, fraud/obtaining under false pretense, theft/stealing and receiving stolen property, vandalization, vehicle-related crimes, arms supplier/illegal possession of ammunition, and other robbery-linked suspects.

“We have also recovered some items from the suspects including locally made guns, ammunition, 30 rounds of AA cartridges, unregistered/forged vehicle documents, stolen vehicles, motorcycles, impounded/contravened vehicles, fake/unauthorised number plates (including government and spy), assorted stolen items (mobile phones, pressing irons, SIM cards, mattresses, jewelries, among others.”

The police commissioner said that “these achievements underscore the commitment of the Ondo State Police Command to protecting lives and property across the State.

He added that, “the successes recorded were made possible by the strategic direction of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, whose visionary leadership continues to inspire professionalism within the Force.”
(VANGUARD)

Metro

Controversial AMCON Sale: Court Evicts Ali Baba From VI Property

Published

3 hours ago

September 6, 2025

Editor

Popular comedian Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, widely known as Ali Baba, and his company, XQZMOI TV, have been evicted from a Victoria Island property.

The eviction was carried out by bailiffs of the Federal High Court in Lagos, acting on a writ of possession issued on August 15, 2025.

The action followed a judgment delivered by Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa on July 31, 2025, which dismissed a suit brought by Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), against Harold Expansion Industries Nigeria Limited and, critically, ruled in favour of Harold Expansion’s counterclaim.

The court’s decision reversed the sale of the property, located at 324A Akin Ogunlewe Street, and ordered its return to the family of the now-deceased original owner.

AMCON had initially filed the suit, claiming Harold Expansion Industries was indebted to the defunct Bank PhB (now Keystone Bank) to the tune of N617 million.

The corporation alleged that the loan was taken in three tranches in 2008, totalling N129 million, which AMCON subsequently took over.

To recover part of the alleged debt, AMCON was said to have sold the property to Ali Baba for ₦220 million, even as it claimed a balance of N616.1 million was still owed.

However, Harold Expansion Industries, through its lawyer, Benjamin Olayiwola Sadibo, denied the debt.

The company’s counterclaim stated that the N129 million was a consolidated and restructured sum from the original loans, with repayments having been made since the first loan was taken in January 2008.

In his judgment, Justice Lewis-Allagoa identified two key issues: whether AMCON had proven its case and whether Harold Expansion was entitled to its counterclaim.

Citing Section 131(1) of the Evidence Act 2011, the judge ruled that AMCON had failed to provide sufficient evidence to support its claims.

He noted that AMCON did not exhibit the defendant’s statement of account, a crucial piece of evidence for a creditor claiming a debt.

Justice Lewis-Allagoa stated that this failure was fatal to the plaintiff’s case and, as a result, dismissed AMCON’s suit.

Regarding the counterclaim, the judge pointed out that AMCON had failed to file a defence.

“Where a defendant counterclaims against a claimant, the latter is duty-bound to file a defence to the counterclaim; otherwise, the court is obliged to assume that the claimant has no defence,” he stated.

Consequently, the court entered judgment in favour of Harold Expansion Industries, granting all the reliefs sought, including an order for the return of the property and N500 million in damages against AMCON.

It would be recalled that Ali Baba purchased the property in 2021 for N220 million while the case was still in court, despite an existing order for AMCON to preserve the property pending the suit’s determination.

The comedian was allegedly a tenant of the property’s original owner before AMCON forcefully evicted the family and sold it to him.

The owner reportedly passed away shortly after the eviction. The premises, which comprise two large duplexes, had been fully occupied by Ali Baba’s company, XQZMOI, serving as its studios.

(TRIBUNE)