168 Solar Streetlights Stolen on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Raising Safety Concerns

A significant number of solar-powered streetlights, totaling 168, have been stolen from the Longbridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, raising concerns about road safety. The streetlights were installed along the approximately five-kilometer stretch of the bridge in 2025 to illuminate the busy route and enhance security for motorists, especially at night.

However, observations by PUNCH Metro revealed that the lights began vanishing gradually only months after their installation. During a recent visit, several sections of the bridge were found to be stripped of their lighting infrastructure. A count indicated that around 168 solar-powered streetlights had been removed. The suspected vandals appeared to have systematically dismantled the lights, carefully loosening screws and nuts before removing the poles.

The Longbridge experiences heavy vehicular traffic daily, connecting Lagos with other parts of the country. The area is also known for attacks by hoodlums targeting motorists whose vehicles break down, particularly at night. The installation of the streetlights was expected to mitigate these risks by providing adequate illumination.

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This is very sad. The theft was carefully carried out by a number of people because no one would remove a street light in 10 minutes. So, they must have taken their time to do it.

Motorists and local business owners have voiced their distress over the escalating theft. They fear that the disappearance of the streetlights is plunging the busy route back into darkness, thereby exposing road users to greater dangers. One motorist, Segun, described the theft as systematic and expressed concern that the lack of light makes it difficult to see properly while driving at night and to identify individuals on the roadside, increasing the fear of criminal attacks.

Dade Aina, a business owner near the Wawa underpass, also lamented the removal of a streetlight in her area, noting that the darkness has persisted since its removal earlier this year. The situation is becoming increasingly worrying for residents and commuters alike.

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There used to be a street light just by the underpass, but it was also removed early this year. Since then, the place has been left dark.