Trending videos Police order investigation into vandalism on the second Niger bridge

A man describes how some rail fittings put on the Second Niger bridge were removed and vandalized by alleged vandals in a video that is currently making the rounds on social media.

The individual who has not yet been identified shared the video of himself standing on the bridge on Monday, advising drivers to exercise caution when driving at night because to the uprooted railings.

A few of the uprooted railings were also seen in the footage, laying on the bridge’s surface.

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.”

Upon visiting the Anambra State side of the bridge on Monday, Punch online correspondent saw that a few railings had been dismantled, resulting in small holes on the different sections.

The command is aware of the development and is conducting an inquiry, according to SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the spokesman for the Anambra State police, who was contacted about it.

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.”

Remember that on May 23, together with seven other infrastructure projects, former President Muhammadu Buhari officially opened the N336 billion bridge via the internet platform Zoom.

After over 50 years of broken promises by several administrations, the bridge will finally be completed, according to a briefing held in October 2022 by former Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola.

In order to facilitate traffic in the Southeast over the holiday season, the Federal Government also opened the Second Niger Bridge for usage on December 15, 2022.

During the 1978–1979 electoral campaign, National Party of Nigeria candidate Shehu Shagari made the initial proposal for the Second Niger Bridge.

The 1.6-kilometer bridge, which connects the states of Anambra and Delta, is modeled after the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos. Its goals are to relieve traffic on the current Niger Bridge, promote economic growth, and establish a connection between the Southeast and the rest of the nation.