The Nigerian government has installed closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras on Lagos’s Third Mainland Bridge to deter suicide attempts and monitor illegal sand excavation activities. Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, announced this initiative during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, April 4, 2025.
Umahi explained that the surveillance system aims to enhance safety and security on the bridge. He stated, “We have put CCTVs down under the deck so that anybody who is excavating sand within the 10-kilometre radius will be spotted.” Additionally, an examination house has been established beside the bridge’s bank, staffed by personnel from the police, navy, army, and local security agencies to monitor the CCTV feeds.
The minister emphasized that this measure is designed to prevent individuals from attempting suicide on the bridge. He noted, “They will all be there watching the CCTV so that anybody who is trying to take his life on the Third Mainland Bridge, they will spot the person.” This proactive approach aims to provide timely intervention in such cases.
In addition to addressing suicide attempts, the installation of CCTV cameras seeks to curb unauthorized sand dredging activities beneath the bridge, which pose structural risks. Umahi expressed concern over these activities and highlighted that the surveillance system would help enforce regulations and protect the bridge’s integrity.
