Darkness is once again settling over the Longbridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, and this time the disappearing act appears to have developed a sequel. Fresh observations reported on September 22, 2026, indicate that more solar-powered streetlights have vanished from the approximately five-kilometre bridge, leaving only a handful of installations standing. This follows an earlier report that 168 lights had already been removed by suspected vandals.
The lights were installed in 2025 to improve visibility and safety on the heavily travelled route, particularly at night. But barely months after their installation, the infrastructure began disappearing in stages. At this point, Longbridge appears to be experiencing the kind of “power-saving measure” nobody ordered — except that the savings seem to involve the lights themselves disappearing from the bridge.
Longbridge Streetlights Apparently Taking the Exit Without Permission
The latest inspection showed that some of the streetlights still present during the previous count had also disappeared. The Longbridge stretches from the Warewa end towards the OPIC/Kara end, carrying heavy traffic between Lagos and Ogun, meaning the return of darkness is not merely an aesthetic problem for motorists using the corridor at night.
The earlier investigation found about 168 lighting points removed, with evidence suggesting that some installations had been systematically dismantled. In certain areas, stretches of up to 300 metres reportedly lost their lighting infrastructure. The lights had been installed specifically to improve visibility and safety, especially on a route where stranded motorists have previously faced security concerns after dark.
Solar Streetlights Installed for Safety Are Disappearing One by One on Longbridge
The situation is particularly ironic because the streetlights were intended to address a very practical problem: darkness along a busy bridge where thousands of motorists travel daily. Instead, the infrastructure has become another target for suspected vandalism, leaving motorists to once again negotiate the route with reduced illumination.
There was also a related development in August when Ogun State Police reportedly arrested four suspects over the alleged theft of solar streetlights and telecommunications infrastructure along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. However, that report should not automatically be interpreted as confirmation that the same individuals were responsible for every missing Longbridge light.
The latest disappearance therefore leaves a bigger question hanging over the bridge: how does infrastructure intended to make a major highway safer continue disappearing after installation? For motorists, the answer may matter less than the practical consequence — darkness is returning to Longbridge. OGM News NG will continue watching the situation for further developments, including any official response, investigation or plans to restore the missing streetlights.
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