Concern has been raised over the alleged removal of structural bolts and other metal components from the River Niger Bridge, with a citizen who filmed the condition of the bridge calling for urgent government intervention.
In a video circulating online, the individual is seen drawing attention to what he described as missing metal components beneath the bridge. He appealed to the authorities to inspect the structure, warning that continued removal of the materials could compromise the bridge's safety.
“This is not scrap metal theft,” the narrator said, describing the materials as heavy structural bolts that form part of the bridge's structural system.
The video has triggered reactions because of the strategic importance of the Onitsha–Asaba crossing, which connects communities on both sides of the River Niger and serves as a major transportation corridor between southeastern Nigeria and other parts of the country.
The concerns come amid the Federal Government's broader campaign against the vandalisation and theft of public infrastructure.
Minister of Works David Umahi has previously warned against the removal of components from bridges and other critical infrastructure, stressing that such acts could endanger motorists and other road users.
The discussion surrounding the video also highlighted the need for Nigerians to help protect public infrastructure and report suspected vandalism to the authorities.
The original speaker in the video, however, appeared to speculate about the ethnic identity of those allegedly responsible for removing the materials. That claim has not been established, and there is no verified evidence from the footage identifying the alleged perpetrators.
The incident has consequently renewed calls for authorities to investigate the alleged theft rather than rely on ethnic or regional profiling.
The First Niger Bridge was commissioned in 1965 and has remained one of Nigeria's most important transport links between the eastern and western parts of the country.
Its strategic importance means any deterioration or damage could have significant consequences for commuters, traders and freight operators who depend on the route.
While the circulating video raises legitimate concerns, it does not by itself establish that the bridge is structurally failing or that missing bolts have already compromised its load-bearing capacity. A professional engineering inspection would be required to determine the condition of the structure and the significance of any missing components.
The incident has nevertheless prompted renewed calls for immediate inspection, tighter security around critical infrastructure and stronger action against anyone found responsible for vandalising or stealing components from the bridge.
For motorists, the central concern is straightforward: if structural components are being removed, authorities need to establish exactly what has been taken, whether the bridge remains safe and what repairs or security measures are required.
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