To curb relentless vandalism along the flagship Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Federal Government has fully profiled 40 newly inaugurated coastal road guards, installed GPS tracking devices on operational motorcycles, and deployed round-the-clock surveillance teams.
In an aggressive push to defend multi-billion naira national assets against systemic vandalism and illegal corridor encroachments, the Federal Government has officially completed the biometric profiling, guarantor documentation, and tactical deployment of 40 newly inaugurated Coastal Road Guards.
Disclosing the operational milestone on Thursday, July 23, 2026, during an official ceremony in Lagos, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mr. Olufemi Dare, confirmed that all operational motorcycles issued to the unit have been outfitted with advanced GPS tracking devices.
The tracking installation ensures that government equipment is deployed exclusively for authorized field surveillance and security patrols along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway corridor.
The establishment of the specialized surveillance unit was necessitated by persistent, organized sabotage targeting newly installed highway fittings.
According to Controller Dare, critical highway safety components—including clear-view steel protective fencing, heavy-duty manhole covers, and reflective directional signage—were repeatedly stolen or destroyed by scavengers and criminal syndicates almost immediately after installation and subsequent replacements.
To guarantee continuous asset protection, the 40 recruits underwent intensive security and tactical intelligence training conducted by the Nigeria Police Force. Operating on a 24-hour shift system split between day and night patrols, the guards are fully equipped with official motorcycles, protective helmets, long-range walkie-talkies, high-powered flashlights, and digital recording devices to capture real-time evidence.
Beyond anti-vandalism duties, the federal controller charged the guards with enforcing strict environmental and traffic regulations along the superhighway.
Their operational mandate explicitly includes preventing illegal motorcycle (Okada) and tricycle (Keke) operations, curbing heavy-duty trailer parking, eliminating unauthorized U-turns, stopping illegal street trading, preventing open livestock grazing, and ending indiscriminate refuse dumping along the corridor.
Supported by administrative officer Mr. Augustine Usumero, Chief Security Officer Mr. Paul Mbam, and Deputy Team Lead Mr. Kelvin Okereke, the guards are empowered to arrest lawbreakers and hand them over to security agencies for prosecution—providing vital youth employment while safeguarding national infrastructure.
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