The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, has called for a hardline response to the persistent vandalisation of public assets, particularly on federal highways, as the government intensifies infrastructure renewal nationwide.
Mr Onanuga made the remark on Sunday while reacting to a video circulating on social media platform X, which showed suspected vandals cutting and carting away metal components at the reconstruction site of the Ibadan–Ilesa/Ife Federal Highway.
The footage, shared by an X user, Mr Salanwu Omoiyaonipako, captured damaged starter bars and shoulder rods at the project site, raising concerns over the safety and durability of the ongoing works. Lamenting the incident, the social media user accused vandals of undermining government efforts to deliver quality road infrastructure, describing the act as “wickedness” and an assault on collective progress.
Responding to the video, Mr Onanuga condemned the actions in strong terms, portraying the perpetrators as enemies of public good. In a sharply worded comment, the presidential aide suggested that those caught vandalising public infrastructure should face the severest consequences, reflecting growing frustration within government circles over the repeated destruction of state assets.
Beyond road projects, vandalism has continued to pose a major challenge across critical sectors. Oil pipelines, railway installations and electricity cables have frequently been targeted, leading to service disruptions, economic losses and, in some instances, loss of lives. Analysts warn that such acts not only inflate the cost of governance but also slow development and erode public confidence in state capacity.
