Pedestrians Defy Arrests, Continue Crossing Lagos Expressway At Cele

Despite repeated arrests and prosecution by the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), popularly known as Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), pedestrians at Cele Bus Stop along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway continue to cross the busy highway instead of using the pedestrian bridge provided for them.

The persistent practice has raised concerns over road safety, as commuters routinely expose themselves to speeding vehicles while attempting to avoid what some describe as the inconvenience of using the bridge.

The Guardian observed that KAI officials have been deployed to the Cele axis at least once a week over the past two years as part of efforts to enforce compliance with the state government’s ban on unauthorised highway crossing.

On September 8, 2026, KAI officials were seen intercepting pedestrians who crossed the expressway at the bus stop. Some of those arrested were taken into a KAI enforcement vehicle stationed at the location.

The Head of the Public Affairs and Advocacy Unit of LAGESC, Lukman Ajayi, said between 15 and 20 pedestrians were arrested for unlawful crossing around the Cele axis an average of three times every week.

Ajayi explained that arrested offenders were taken to the Oshodi Mobile Court, which has jurisdiction over the area, for determination of their cases.

He added that KAI officials do not decide the punishment imposed on offenders, noting that such decisions are left to the court.

The Lagos State Government prohibits pedestrians from crossing highways at locations where designated pedestrian bridges are available and has repeatedly urged residents to use the facilities to reduce the risk of road crashes.

In February 2024, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, described unlawful highway crossing as an offence and directed KAI and other law enforcement agencies to arrest and prosecute offenders.

The government said convicted offenders could face a fine of N50,000 or imprisonment.

LAGESC also disclosed that KAI arrested 6,789 people in 2025 for unlawful highway crossing and failure to use pedestrian bridges.

However, some pedestrians at Cele said the continued crossings were driven by more than a deliberate refusal to obey the law.

One of them, Kelechi Chibuzor, who said he was new to Lagos, expressed surprise that pedestrians could be arrested for crossing the highway.

Chibuzor said he was unaware that the practice was an offence and promised to be more cautious in the future. He, however, argued that crossing the highway was faster and less stressful than using the pedestrian bridge.

Another pedestrian, Omoye Fejiro, cited concerns about the physical condition and safety of some pedestrian bridges.

She said climbing several bridges during a journey could be stressful, particularly after a long day, while some bridges were reportedly damaged or poorly maintained.

Fejiro also recalled that her phone was stolen while she was using the Cele pedestrian bridge early one morning on her way to work.

Although she acknowledged that crossing the highway was prohibited, she questioned what pedestrians were expected to do when the available bridge was difficult to use or perceived to be unsafe.

The situation at Cele highlights the challenge facing authorities in balancing enforcement with the need to ensure that pedestrian infrastructure is safe, accessible and properly maintained.

For motorists, the presence of pedestrians crossing the expressway creates additional hazards, particularly on a busy corridor where vehicles travel at considerable speed and drivers may have little time to react to people suddenly entering the roadway.

While the ongoing arrests may deter some commuters from crossing the highway, the continued practice suggests that enforcement alone may not completely resolve the problem.

Improved maintenance, accessibility and security around pedestrian bridges, alongside sustained enforcement and public education, could be necessary to encourage greater compliance among pedestrians.