The Lagos State Government has discovered 86 illegal apartments under the Dolphin Estate Bridge in Ikoyi, where tenants were paying an annual rent of N250,000. The apartments, sized 10×10 and 12×10, were partitioned rooms under the bridge.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced the discovery on his social media account, along with videos of the illegal structures.
He said the enforcement team from the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources had removed all structures, including a container used for illegal activities.
A total of 34 individuals were arrested during the eviction, which was carried out by the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) on Tuesday.
The commissioner said, “18 individuals squatting illegally under the bridge leading from Dolphin Estate were arrested yesterday 30th of April, 2024 by the officials from the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps”
“A total number of 86 rooms, partitioned into 10×10 and 12×10, and a container used for different illegal activities were discovered under the Dolphin Estate Bridge.
“They have all been removed by the enforcement team of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.”
The Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Kunle Rotimi-Akodu, confirmed the eviction and arrests, stating that the squatters had created an illegal settlement under the bridge, exposing critical infrastructure to destruction.
Rotimi-Akodu said 23 individuals were arrested during the eviction, which was carried out by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, popularly known as KAI on Tuesday.
He wrote, “Squatters dwelling under the bridge leading from inward Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi were evicted today Tuesday, 30th of April, 2024 by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps LAGESC (aka KAI).
“These people created their illegal settlement under the bridge, thereby exposing the critical infrastructure to impending destruction. 23 persons have so far been arrested and MoE/KAI will continue to monitor the place. The law will take its course.”
He also confirmed that the bridge has hitherto housed 86 rooms, partitioned into 10×10 and 12×10 with squatters paying an average rent of N250,000 per annum.
“Continuation of the removal of abode under Dolphin bridge. 11 more persons were arrested. It is important to note that wood materials were used to construct the shelters, some occupants used gas cylinders, and some had stored fuel for their generators, these are recipes for disaster,” he added.
