More than 168 solar-powered streetlights have been stolen from a five-kilometre section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, leaving parts of the busy corridor around Warewa, Wawa, Arepo and Magboro in darkness and triggering fresh safety concerns among motorists and residents.
The lights were installed in 2025 to improve visibility and security along the highway, but several poles, LED fittings and solar panels have since been removed. The development has raised fears that criminals could exploit the darkness, particularly at night when motorists whose vehicles break down may be left vulnerable.
The Brandspur Business News Desk reports that the affected section forms part of one of Nigeria’s busiest transport routes, used daily by commuters, commercial vehicles and heavy-duty trucks travelling between Lagos and other parts of the country. Residents say the disappearance of the lighting has revived memories of previous reports of robbery, kidnapping and attacks on motorists along the corridor.
A resident, Nelson Ekujumi, condemned the destruction of the public infrastructure and called for those responsible to face prosecution. He said the return of darkness was particularly troubling because criminal activities could be carried out more easily when motorists and residents have limited visibility.
Another resident, identified as Lucky, said the streetlights had previously provided a sense of security for people using the road at night. He recalled reports of motorists being attacked after their vehicles developed faults before the lighting was installed, adding that residents were concerned about the possible return of such incidents.
Hakeem Olawepo, a resident of Arepo, also expressed concern over the situation, saying little had changed since the streetlights started disappearing. He said large sections of the bridge were now without illumination, leaving residents worried about the activities of criminals.
Ayodele Lawal, publisher of Pentouch.com.ng, described the vandalisation as disturbing and warned that continued destruction of the infrastructure could put lives and property at risk. Stakeholders have consequently called for stronger measures to protect public assets along the expressway.
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of four suspects allegedly linked to the theft and vandalisation. The suspects were identified as Simon David, Yinusa Garba, Fawas Suleiman and Tunde Tobiloba. They were reportedly charged over alleged offences including night-time asset stripping, metal theft, vandalism of highway infrastructure and possession of cut steel poles and other accessories.
Surveillance along the route was reportedly disrupted after a police patrol vehicle was involved in an accident. Federal Controller of Works in Ogun State, Michael Komolafe, said an officer was injured and hospitalised after another vehicle rammed the patrol vehicle, creating a gap in police presence that vandals allegedly exploited.
Komolafe said replacing the stolen lights without first securing the infrastructure could expose the new installations to the same fate. Authorities are therefore considering stronger anti-theft measures, including anti-tamper fastenings and protective structural enclosures.
The Ogun State Police Command and the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps have reportedly increased their operational presence along the affected stretch to deter further vandalism and the activities of suspected scrap-metal buyers.
Stakeholders and civil society groups have also proposed installing solar-powered closed-circuit television cameras connected to police control centres. The proposed system would provide real-time monitoring of the infrastructure and potentially help authorities respond more quickly to further attempts to remove the streetlights.
