Metro
Why We Shun Pedestrian Bridges Despite Risks, Despite Punitive Measures — Lagosians
…‘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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Court Jails Two Ex-bankers For Diverting N10.3m Pension Funds In Enugu
The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has secured the conviction and sentencing of Sani Endurance Aferokhe and Hillary Odo, two former bankers, for diverting N10.3 million belonging to bank customers.
According to a post on X by the commission on Wednesday the judgment was delivered by Justice A. O. Onovo of the Enugu State High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu.
The case was handled by the EFCC and relates to offences committed while the convicts were staff of Intercontinental Bank Plc, now Access Bank Plc.
Aferokhe and Odo were arraigned on January 18, 2016, on a 15-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, and stealing the fund on a seven count of the charge reads:
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“Sani Endurance Aferokhe and Hillary Odo on or about the 21st day of November, 2012 at Nsukka within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court, while as servants of Intercontinental Bank Plc (now Access Bank Plc), stole the sum of Four Million, Four Hundred and Forty-four Thousand Naira (N4, 440, 000. 00) property of Intercontinental Bank Plc (now Access Bank Plc) from a customer account with account name Udekwu F. A. O with number 00237808311 domiciled in Intercontinental Bank Plc (now Access Bank Plc) and thereby committed an offence”.
Count two of the charge reads:
“Sani Endurance Aferokhe and Hillary Odo on or about the 12th day of October 2012 at Nsukka within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while as servants of Intercontinental Bank Plc (now Access Bank Plc), stole the sum of Two Million, One Hundred and Thirteen Thousand, Six Hundred and Ten Naira, forty Kobo (N2, 113, 610. 40) property of Intercontinental Bank Plc (now Access Bank Plc) from a customer account with account name Onuora George with account number 0023781315 domiciled in Intercontinental Bank Plc (now Access Bank Plc) and thereby committed an offence.
The offences are contrary to Section 459(a) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 30 of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004. The defendants pleaded not guilty, leading to a full trial.
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During the trial, the EFCC, through its counsel, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Michael Ikechukwu Ani, presented five witnesses and tendered several documents as evidence.
In its judgment delivered on Friday, December 22, 2025, the court dismissed counts six and nine.
The second defendant was convicted on counts four and seven, while the first defendant was convicted on counts one, two, three, five, eight, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, and fifteen.
The court sentenced the second defendant to five years’ imprisonment on counts four and seven, with an option of a N100,000 fine on each count.
The first defendant was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment on each of the counts, except count fifteen, for which he received a three-year sentence, all with an option of a N100,000 fine per count.
The convicts, who are former staff of Access Bank, were found guilty after conspiring to reactivate three dormant customer accounts belonging to pensioners without their consent and diverting the funds for personal use.
Metro
Six Lagosians Arraigned Over Attack On LASTMA Officials
Six suspected miscreants have been arraigned for allegedly masterminding a violent attack on officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, and other collaborating agencies during a midnight enforcement operation along Airport Road, Lagos.
The suspects were brought before the Chief Magistrate of the Lagos State Mobile Court on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, on four separate charges linked to the incident.
The court adjourned the case to February 19, 2026, for further hearing.
While one defendant, who pleaded not guilty, was granted bail, the remaining six suspects were remanded in custody pending the continuation of proceedings.
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The enforcement operation, which resulted in the impoundment of 56 vehicles, was carried out to address persistent traffic and environmental violations in the area.
The seized vehicles included 44 commercial buses, five private cars, and seven trucks.
The late-night exercise was personally supervised by the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, and conducted jointly with security operatives, the Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI Corps, the Lagos State Task Force, and LASTMA field officers.
Authorities said the operation followed repeated formal complaints from the Nigerian Airport Authority, NPA, over illegal activities and encroachment on its facilities by criminal groups and non-compliant commercial drivers operating in clear violation of existing regulations.
The NPA reportedly raised concerns that the activities of the illegal operators had become a major nuisance along the airport corridor, citing frequent cases of harassment, intimidation, and dispossession of unsuspecting members of the public.
READ ALSO:Court Dismisses Ex-Binance Chief’s Claims Of Unlawful Detention Against EFCC
During the enforcement exercise, five officers attached to the joint task force were attacked with dangerous weapons by the suspects.
In an apparent attempt to disrupt the operation, one of LASTMA’s tow trucks was also deliberately set on fire.
Despite the violent resistance and threat to lives and public assets, the enforcement officers were said to have conducted themselves with restraint, professionalism, and courage throughout the operation.
Reacting to the incident, Mr Bakare-Oki reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s determination to protect critical infrastructure, ensure the safety of road users, and maintain law and order across the state.
He stressed that the government would not yield to intimidation or tolerate violence from criminal elements, warning that acts of lawlessness would be met with decisive legal action.
The LASTMA boss further assured residents that enforcement activities along key and strategic corridors in Lagos would continue unabated, in collaboration with sister agencies, to curb criminal activities, restore order, and safeguard lives and property across the metropolis.
Metro
Police Arrest 13 During Cult Initiation In Delta
The Delta State Police Command has arrested 13 suspected members of a cult group and recovered several firearms and other dangerous items.
The suspects were arrested during an initiation ceremony at the Ekraka Community forest in Kokori on Saturday.
The operation carried out late-night during a tactical operation in Ethiope East local government area of the state followed credible intelligence that members of the Aiye Confraternity, also known as Black Axe, were planning an initiation.
Police, operatives of the Quick Response Squad, led by its commander, SP Collins Achem, were swiftly deployed to the area to prevent the gathering.
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The Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement.
“At about 11:00 p.m., the patrol team encountered the suspects, who reportedly engaged the operatives in a gun duel upon sighting them.
“The operatives responded decisively, leading to the arrest of 13 suspects, while several others escaped deeper into the forest.
“A search of the forest resulted in the recovery of two automatic pump-action guns, one double-barrel cut-to-size gun, one single-barrel cut-to-size gun and a battle axe.
READ ALSO:
“Other items recovered included aprons bearing “NBM” insignia, razor blades cut into pieces, mobile phones, charms, and suspected hard drugs.
“In addition, seven vehicles believed to be owned and used by members of the cult group were recovered and towed to the QRS Base in Warri.
“The suspects are currently in police custody, while investigations are ongoing to determine their individual roles, dismantle the cult network, and apprehend other fleeing members,” the statement read.
The Delta State Police Command urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to support the police with credible information to enhance security across the state.
He told parents, schools, community and faith leaders, as well as youths, to see the fight against cultism as a collective responsibility.
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