Metro

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

Published

2 months 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

PHOTOS: Residents Cry For Help As Flood Ravages Delta Community

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2025

Editor

Natives of Souragbene community in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State have cried to the Delta State Government and the local government council chairman for urgent help as flood submerges the community.

In a video that has gone viral, a young lady is seen with school pupils and other adults lamenting “we are at this moment gathered here inside water in Souragbene to tell the whole world that flood has taken over our community.”

According to her, “Our children had to literally swim in the flood to get to their schools. They get soaked; they get so dirty in the process.”

“Our houses have been submerged — we have nowhere to go. We are literally swimming in the flood to our children’s schools. Is this okay? Yet we have well-connected people as indigenes; we have wealthy people; we have those politicians who are connected to the government, yet they feel no concern about the community.”

Another woman appears in the video with the pupils inside the flood, saying in a sober voice: “We greet the government from here. We know you are trying your best. Today, we are gathered here in Saurogbene community, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.”

The woman, while lamenting in the video that the flood has lasted for seven days, added: “Because of the flood we can no longer do anything. Our children do go to school but because of the flood, they can no longer go to school. We have to use a woodenboat to ferry them to school in the flood. You can see the suffering of the children.

“When the flood starts, for 3 to 4 hours, everything stands still. And if everything stands still, we cannot do anything. Imagine we, not doing nothing for four hours because of flood, how do we survive?”

She appealed to Delta State governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the local government council chairman, Chief Sylvester Oromoni, and well-meaning Nigerians and Deltans in particular to come to their rescue.

A man identified in the video as the
spokesman of the community appears in the video lamenting: “Because of the flood, everyone literally swims. Hon Sylvester Oromoni, you are the chairman of this local government. We are begging you to come to our rescue.”

Metro

Court Sentences 11 to 79 Years Improvement In Edo

Published

2 days ago

November 6, 2025

Editor

The Federal High Court in Benin, Edo State, has sentenced a forty-nine year old drug baron, Alaba Monday and 10 others to 79 years in prison.

They were convicted by Justice B. O. Quadiri and Justice Prof. C. O. Obiozor.

Mitchell Ofoyeju, state commander of the NDLEA who disclosed this to newsmen in a statement on Thursday, said those convicted were nine male and two female suspects.

Ofoyeju stated that those convicted were nine male and two female suspects.

According to apart from Monday, others that were convicted are Okpiaesi Abraham (52 years), Atari Isreal (45 years) Emmanuel Nwosu (46 years) and Samuel Samson (26 years).

Daniel Peter (20 years), Margaret Amuludu (40 years), Abel Edah (31 years) Bella Fedrick (29 years), Lucky Aligbe (50 years) and Benson Uponi, 65 years old were also convicted.

He added, “Among the standout cases was the conviction of Alaba Monday, who was caught with 115 kilograms of cannabis. He got a 15-year sentence with a fine of N3 million. Another convict, Lucky Aligbe, was sentenced to 25 years in prison over unlawful possession of drugs, including cannabis, tramadol, swinol, and diazepam.

“In this case, the presiding judge, Hon. B. O. Quadiri, noted that the quantity and types of drugs and the convicts’ previous conviction record involved warranted a severe sentence, especially as the need to deter similar future offences remains paramount.

“In another case, Bella Fedrick was sentenced to two years in prison or the option of paying a fine of N5 million for unlawful possession of 29 grams of methamphetamine.

“This case highlights the ongoing battle against synthetic drugs, which have become increasingly prevalent in communities.

“The court also dealt a heavy blow to cannabis cultivation with the conviction of Abel Edah, who, alongside charges of unlawful possession involving 5 kilograms, was found guilty of cultivating a cannabis farm spanning 0.678 hectares. Edah received a concurrent two-year sentence on both counts or the option of a 5 million Naira fine for each count.

“Also, Samuel Samson and Daniel Peter, who were both sentenced for unlawful possession and cultivation of cannabis sativa. They each received a sentence of two years or the option of a N5 million fine.

“Emmanuel Nwosu got 15 years for possessing 276 grams of cannabis with an option of N750,000. Also noteworthy was the conviction of Atari Israel, who got two years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession and transportation of 9 kilograms of cannabis with a 2.5 million naira fine. The court, however, authorised the forfeiture of his navy-blue Audi station wagon, linking it directly to his illegal activities.”

Ofoyeju, reaffirmed the commitment of the agency to a drug-free society, sending a clear message to offenders that the rule of law would prevail in the fight against narcotics.

He urged community members to remain vigilant and report any suspicious drug activities in their neighbourhoods as part of a collaborative effort to combat substance abuse and trafficking.

Metro

Police Arrest Suspect For Raping Woman To Death In Rivers

Published

2 days ago

November 6, 2025

Editor

The Rivers State Police Command said its operatives have arrested a suspect who allegedly raped a young woman to death in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state.

The incident reportedly occurred on Monday when the lifeless body of the woman, said to be an orphan, was found in her room.

The case came to public attention when a user on X, claiming to be a family friend of the deceased, raised the alarm and called on the police to intervene immediately.

The poster added that occupants of the compound where the woman lived reportedly fled after the shocking discovery, possibly for fear of being implicated.

The statement, which was reposted by popular blogger Lindaikeji, partly read, “Nigerians, I need your help. Please help me call the police. I’m heartbroken as I type this. My family friend was raped and strangled to death in her room at Oyigbo on Monday night.”

The user also said the remains of the woman, simply identified as Ugochi, had been deposited in the morgue.

“Ugochi and her sister are helpless orphans who have nobody to fight for them. We are heartbroken. It’s unending tears and agony. Please help our voice get amplified. Please help us get justice,” the user added.

Although the full details of the incident could not be ascertained as of Thursday evening, it was gathered that the case caused panic in the densely populated area on the outskirts of Port Harcourt.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident and the arrest of the suspect to our correspondent on Thursday, saying he is in custody.

Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, stated, “Yes, I can confirm the incident, and the suspect has been arrested. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department.

“The body of the woman has been deposited in the morgue, and investigation is ongoing. Further details will be made known in due course.”

Rivers State has in recent years witnessed multiple cases of sexual violence and attacks on vulnerable individuals, prompting the state police command to intensify surveillance and community policing in high-risk areas.

Residents in some parts of the state have in the past expressed concerns over rising criminal activities, leading to heightened security measures by law enforcement.