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The Federal Ministry of Works has launched the Coastal Highway Guards, a dedicated security and monitoring team established to protect critical infrastructure along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

The initiative was formally launched on Sunday by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, with the initial deployment of 40 officers tasked with maintaining a visible presence along the highway and supporting existing security agencies.

The guards are expected to monitor activities along the highway, identify and report suspicious movements, prevent vandalism and help safeguard the infrastructure against activities that could undermine its safety, functionality and longevity.

According to the Federal Ministry of Works, the officers will work closely with relevant security agencies to ensure effective surveillance of the highway.

Their responsibilities will include reporting suspected acts of vandalism and other security threats, while helping to prevent activities considered detrimental to the smooth use of the road.

The guards will also enforce restrictions against hawking, loitering and the use of commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, as well as tricycles, or Keke, on the highway.

The ministry said the measures are intended to maintain order, protect road users and prevent avoidable damage or obstruction along the strategic infrastructure corridor.

Retired General to lead Coastal Highway Guards

The newly established team will be led by retired General Adekunle Shodunke.

The guards will operate in conjunction with relevant security and law-enforcement agencies, with the aim of creating a coordinated system for monitoring the highway and responding to emerging security concerns.

The deployment is expected to provide a stronger security presence along sections of the coastal road while also supporting efforts to preserve government infrastructure.

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Speaking at the launch, Minister of Works David Umahi clarified that the initiative was not designed as an empowerment programme.

According to him, the Coastal Highway Guards are being engaged as full-time employees specifically to protect national assets and critical infrastructure.

Umahi said the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s determination to ensure that massive investments in road infrastructure are properly protected from vandalism, misuse and other threats.

He linked the programme to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing the importance of safeguarding infrastructure being developed with public resources.

The minister’s position comes amid growing concerns over the security of major infrastructure projects across the country, particularly roads and other public assets that can be exposed to vandalism and unauthorised activities.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is one of the Federal Government’s flagship infrastructure projects.

The highway is designed to stretch through several coastal states, providing a major transportation corridor along Nigeria’s coastline.

The project is expected to improve connectivity between communities and states along the coastal belt while supporting trade, tourism, investment and other economic activities.

The Federal Government has repeatedly described the highway as strategically important to Nigeria’s long-term transportation and economic development plans.

The introduction of the Coastal Highway Guards is therefore expected to complement construction and maintenance efforts by providing dedicated monitoring and protection for the road infrastructure.

With construction and related development activities continuing along the coastal corridor, authorities are expected to maintain close coordination between the highway guards and conventional security agencies.

The government is also expected to continue monitoring activities along the route to ensure that the highway remains safe and accessible to authorised road users.

The Federal Ministry of Works said the initiative forms part of broader efforts to protect critical national infrastructure and ensure that public investments deliver their intended benefits to Nigerians.

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Troops of 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, under the 2 Division, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, have successfully rescued a kidnapped victim.

The Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade, Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, in a statement, said the victim was rescued during a coordinated operation in Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.

“The operation followed credible intelligence on the abduction of Mr Lucky Egbiki, aged 50, who was kidnapped at his farm in Okehussan, Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State,” he stated.

The army spokesperson further said security forces exploited ransom negotiations to lure the kidnappers to a predetermined location at Onogholo, within Esan South East Local Government Area, where they engaged the criminal elements.

During the encounter, one of the kidnappers who arrived at the location to collect the ransom was neutralised by the troops, forcing the other members of the gang to abandon the victim and flee into the surrounding forest, with some believed to have sustained gunshot wounds.

The troops subsequently rescued the victim unhurt and recovered the sum of ₦1.5 million intended as ransom payment. The rescued victim was handed over to his family after preliminary debriefing and medical assessment and was confirmed to be in stable condition.

Captain Anyanwu encouraged the people of Edo State to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, as such support remains vital to sustaining operational successes and enhancing security across the state.

Meanwhile, the Commander, 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, has commended the troops for their proactiveness, courage and professionalism displayed during the operation.

The commander reassured the people of Edo State that the brigade would continue to apply sustained pressure on kidnappers and other criminal elements operating within its area of responsibility.

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President Bola Tinubu has urged religious and spiritual leaders to speak out against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and the misuse of religion to justify violence.

The president gave the advice on Sunday in Kano at the Grand Maulud of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tijani.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume, President Tinubu noted that religious leaders had a crucial role to play in confronting violence, extremism and the manipulation of faith for destructive purposes.

He charged religious institutions and networks to strengthen advocacy for peace education, religious literacy, scholarship and the moral development of young people.

The president added that religious leaders should also use their influence to promote justice, responsibility, compassion and the peaceful resolution of grievances.