Viral video of Second Niger Bridge vandalism prompts police probe

Viral video of Second Niger Bridge vandalism prompts police probe

A video now circulating on social media shows a man narrating how some rail fittings installed on the Second Niger bridge were been uprooted and vandalised by suspected vandals.

Sharing the video on Monday, the yet-to-be-identified man standing on the bridge advised drivers to be cautious of the uprooted railings, especially at night.

The video also showed some of the uprooted railings lying on the ground of the bridge.

He said, “This is the new bridge the Federal Government constructed for the good of the people, but some vandals have uprooted and vandalised the railings that connect the bridge thereby subjecting unsuspecting drivers to danger, especially at night.

“There is no vehicle that will run into this ditch that will not be stuck, especially at night. Vandals have been uprooting the expensive railings and selling it, this is not good at all. Drivers should be aware when they are driving on the bridge at night. We don’t know who to complain this to.”

Our correspondent who visited the scene, which is the Anambra State section of the bridge on Monday, also observed that some of the railings have been removed, thereby creating some openings on the various joints.

When contacted on the development, the Anambra State police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the command was aware of the development and is making investigation.

Ikenga said, “The Command is aware of the video and has directed the DPO covering the area to investigate. This is to ascertain the true development there and how to go about it. Please let’s be calm.”

When also contacted on the development, Uche Orji, the Chief Press Secretary to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, simply said, “Just seeing the video now, noted for action.”

Recall that on May 23, the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, commissioned the N336 billion bridge, via an online platform, Zoom alongside seven other infrastructural projects.

The former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, announced the completion of the bridge at a briefing in October 2022 after almost five decades of failed promises by successive administrations.

On December 15, 2022, the Federal Government also opened the Second Niger Bridge for use to ease traffic in the South-East during the festive season.

The Second Niger Bridge was first proposed during the 1978/79 political campaign by then-candidate Shehu Shagari of the National Party of Nigeria.

Patterned after the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, the 1.6 kilometres long bridge linking Anambra and Delta states is to de-congest traffic on the existing Niger Bridge, boost economic activities, and connect the South-East with the rest of the country.