{
  "id": 399662,
  "title": "FG unveils guards to protect Lagos-Calabar coastal highway",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/fg-unveils-guards-to-protect-lagos-calabar-coastal-highway",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-09T18:58:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/fg-unveils-guards-to-protect-lagos-calabar-coastal-highway/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Federal Government has introduced the Coastal Highway Guards to safeguard the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway from vandalism and unauthorized activities. The initiative, launched by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, started with 40 officers who will maintain a presence on the highway, report suspicious activities, restrict hawking, keke and okada, and prevent loitering. Retired Gen. Adekunle Shodunke will lead the team, which will collaborate with state security agencies. Umahi clarified that the program is not an empowerment scheme but a full-time job to protect national assets, aligning with President Tinubu's Renewed Hope agenda. The 750-kilometre, 10-lane highway, under construction by Hitech Construction Company Limited, spans across Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom states.",
  "summary": "The Federal Government has launched Coastal Highway Guards to protect the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway from vandalism and unauthorized activities. Learn m Read More: https://punchng.com/fg-unveils-guards-to-protect-lagos-calabar-coastal-highway/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "PRP chieftain faults Donald Duke over Lagos-Calabar coastal highway comment",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/prp-chieftain-faults-donald-duke-over-lagos-calabar-coastal-highway",
        "published": "2026-08-09T15:30:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Nigerian Govt unveils guards to protect Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/nigerian-govt-unveils-guards-to-protect-lagos-calabar-coastal-highway",
        "published": "2026-08-09T19:37:24.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}