Caught on Camera: CCTV Foils Theft of 156 safety lights on Third Mainland Bridge

Caught on Camera: CCTV Foils Theft of 156 safety lights on Third Mainland Bridge

 

​Lagos State Police have apprehended three suspects for the brazen theft of 156 reflective “cat eye” safety lights from the Third Mainland Bridge. The arrest marks a major win for the bridge’s newly installed surveillance technology.

​The operation was triggered when CCTV operators spotted “suspicious movements” on the bridge’s surface in real-time. Security teams were immediately dispatched, intercepting the trio as they attempted to flee with the stolen infrastructure—critical components designed to keep motorists safe during night driving and heavy rain.

​Minister of Works, David Umahi, confirmed the arrests during a high-level security briefing, condemning the rising trend of infrastructure sabotage.

​Scale of the Issue: Similar thefts have been reported on the Second Niger Bridge and the Abuja–Kano highway.

​The Motive: Materials are frequently stolen and sold as scrap metal.

​The Consequence: Minister Umahi warned that these acts “threaten lives and undermine national development,” vowing that the suspects will face the full weight of the law.

​DCP Adesina Lawal noted that the bridge’s security net is tighter than ever. The current surveillance system covers:

The bridge surface for traffic and theft monitoring

The under-bridge areas and surrounding waterways

​Real-time response triggers for police patrols

​The “Debt Collector” Defence: During interrogation, one suspect claimed he wasn’t a thief, but was simply on the bridge to “collect a debt” from the actual vandals. Police aren’t buying it; investigations are ongoing to track down potential accomplices.

​Following this success, the Federal Government plans to roll out similar CCTV systems across major highways nationwide to crack down on vandalism, speeding, and highway robbery.