- ‘Shoot Them On Sight’ – Onanuga Reacts To Vandalism On Federal Highway.
- Federal road project on Ibadan Ilesa Ife highway suffers sabotage.
- Video shows removal of critical construction materials from the site.
\The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has called for vandals of public infrastructure to be “shot on sight” following reported sabotage of an ongoing federal road reconstruction project.
Onanuga made the statement on Sunday in a post on X, formerly Twitter, while reacting to a viral video showing damage to sections of the Ibadan Ilesa Ife federal highway, which is currently undergoing reconstruction.
“Just shoot these unconscionable vandals thieves at sight. They are the worst species of citizens,” Onanuga wrote.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the video that triggered the reaction showed men wearing reflective jackets bearing the insignia of the Federal Ministry of Works explaining how key components of the highway project were being deliberately removed by vandals.
One of the officials in the footage said, “So what happens is that we have some people vandalising these starter bars.
“You can see that they are pressing in some places but all these vandals, they cut out of it, they remove the ones they could remove. They cut the ones that are very solid and remove the ones they can remove entirely.”
Starter bars, also referred to as shoulder rods, are essential materials used in road construction to ensure structural reinforcement and proper alignment between road segments. Their removal weakens the integrity of the road and increases the risk of failure.
The Ibadan Ilesa Ife expressway is a major federal highway linking Oyo and Osun states. It serves as a key transport corridor for commuters, traders and businesses moving between the South West states.
The road is among several strategic infrastructure projects currently being executed by the Federal Government as part of efforts to improve interstate connectivity, enhance road safety and stimulate economic activities.
Incidents of vandalism and theft of public infrastructure have continued to pose challenges to infrastructure development across the country, often leading to project delays, increased costs and safety concerns.
Onanuga’s comment has since generated widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians debating the appropriate response to vandalism of public assets.
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