{
  "id": 9505652,
  "title": "Niger Bridge vandalism: Monitor scrap markets, Umahi tells Anambra, Delta govs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/niger-bridge-vandalism-monitor-scrap-markets-umahi-tells-anambra",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-24T06:52:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/niger-bridge-vandalism-monitor-scrap-markets-umahi-tells-anambra-delta-govs/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Minister of Works David Umahi has urged governors of Anambra and Delta states to closely monitor scrap markets in their respective regions to prevent further vandalism and theft of critical infrastructure at the First Niger Bridge, which links the two states. During an assessment of the ongoing rehabilitation work on the Onitsha end of the bridge, Umahi lamented the activities of vandals who damaged the bridge by stealing bolts, nuts, and portions of the expansion-joint steelwork. The bridge was closed to traffic for emergency repairs from September 7 to 21, with the closure extended by a week due to rain. Umahi warned that the government had spent a significant amount of money repairing the damage and called on the governors to take responsibility for protecting the infrastructure. The minister also directed the removal of illegal advertisement billboards and replacement with pictures of President Bola Tinubu, and urged the public to report any sightings of vandals to the security agencies.",
  "summary": "Works Minister David Umahi has asked the governors of Anambra and Delta to monitor scrap markets to curb the vandalism of the First Niger Bridge. Read More: https://punchng.com/niger-bridge-vandalism-monitor-scrap-markets-umahi-tells-anambra-delta-govs/",
  "key_points": [
    "Anambra and Delta governors must monitor scrap markets to prevent further bridge vandalism.",
    "First Niger Bridge damaged by theft of bolts, nuts, and steelwork.",
    "Government spent on repairs; illegal billboards to be replaced with President Tinubu images."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The minister's directive to Anambra and Delta state governors to monitor scrap markets signals a shift in strategy to prevent further infrastructure vandalism by targeting the likely buyers of stolen materials.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BusinessDay Nigeria",
        "title": "Aftermath of economic summit: Blue bond, green bond, rail bond coming in Niger Delta",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/aftermath-of-economic-summit-blue-bond-green-bond-rail-bond-coming-in",
        "published": "2026-09-24T05:00:24.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Niger Bridge vandalism: Monitor scrap markets, Umahi tells Anambra, Delta govs",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/niger-bridge-vandalism-monitor-scrap-markets-umahi-tells-anambra-9509496",
        "published": "2026-09-24T07:14:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}