FG Deploys 40 Guards to Protect Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway from Vandals
Lagos-Calabar Highway Gets 40 Guards to Tackle Vandalism
The Federal Government has deployed 40 Coastal Highway Guards to protect the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway from vandalism, illegal occupation, hawking and other activities that could undermine the major infrastructure project.
Minister of Works David Umahi launched the guards on Sunday, August 9, 2026. The team will maintain a presence along the highway, monitor the corridor and report suspicious activities while working with security agencies in Lagos State.
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Guards assigned to protect highway infrastructure
The 40 officers will monitor the highway for vandalism and other unauthorised activities. Their responsibilities include reporting suspicious activities, preventing hawking and loitering, and restricting the use of commercial motorcycles and tricycles along the highway.
The team is led by retired General Adekunle Shodunke and will work alongside existing security agencies in Lagos State. The Federal Government said the positions are full-time jobs focused specifically on protecting national infrastructure rather than an empowerment programme.
The deployment follows concerns over activities that could damage infrastructure or interfere with construction and the operation of completed sections of the highway.
Government moves to curb vandalism
Umahi has raised concerns over the removal of construction materials and damage to infrastructure along sections of the coastal highway.
The Federal Government's latest intervention is intended to provide dedicated monitoring of the corridor as construction progresses.
The guards will also support enforcement against activities such as illegal occupation and roadside trading that could obstruct the highway or compromise its intended use.
The government has also called on security agencies to strengthen protection of strategic national infrastructure.
Coastal highway remains a major infrastructure investment
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a major federal infrastructure project designed to connect Lagos with Cross River through Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states.
Nairametrics reports that the project has an estimated overall cost of about N15 trillion. Section I in Lagos was procured at N1.068 trillion, while Section II was procured at N1.6 trillion. Sections IIIA and IIIB were jointly procured at N1.33 trillion.
The project has also attracted external financing, including a $100 million allocation under a $266.7 million ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development facility, according to Nairametrics.
Given the scale of the investment, protecting completed and ongoing sections remains important to preventing additional costs associated with vandalism, repairs and delays.
Highway expected to strengthen coastal connectivity
The highway is intended to improve road connectivity across Nigeria's coastal states and support the movement of people and goods along the corridor.
Construction began in March 2024, while the first Lagos section was commissioned in May 2025. Nairametrics reports that work is currently ongoing in Lagos, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, with Hitech Construction Company Limited handling construction.
The corridor has significance for property and economic development because major transport infrastructure can improve accessibility to emerging residential, commercial and industrial locations.
Improved connectivity could also encourage development around new transport corridors, although the extent of the property-market impact will depend on supporting infrastructure, planning, land administration and the pace of economic activity along the route.
Security could influence project delivery
The deployment of dedicated guards creates an additional layer of protection for the highway as construction continues across multiple states.
Effective security could help reduce damage to construction materials and completed infrastructure while limiting activities that interfere with construction or road operations.
For investors and developers, consistent protection of major transport infrastructure is also relevant because the reliability of a transport corridor influences the long-term attractiveness of locations along its route.
However, security measures will need to operate alongside effective maintenance, enforcement, urban planning and community engagement to protect the infrastructure over the long term.
Outlook
The Federal Government's deployment of 40 Coastal Highway Guards represents a direct response to vandalism and unauthorised activities along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
As construction continues, protecting the infrastructure will be important to preserving the value of the government's investment and maintaining progress on the project. The highway's eventual impact on housing, property and commercial development will depend on how effectively the completed corridor connects coastal communities and supports wider economic activity.
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