Authorities in Lagos State have uncovered a network of makeshift apartments beneath the Dolphin Estate Bridge in the highbrow area of Ikoyi.
Tenants were reportedly paying N250,000 per annum for accommodation in the apartments.
A total of 86 partitioned rooms, varying in size from 10×10 to 12×10, were discovered beneath the bridge, according to the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.
These rooms, along with a container used for illicit activities, were removed by the enforcement team of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.
Wahab disclosed this in a post via X alongside videos documenting the eviction and dismantling of structures beneath the bridge.
“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,” Wahab wrote.
Meanwhile, Kunle Rotimi-Akodu, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, confirmed the eviction of squatters from beneath the bridge.
Rotimi-Akodu highlighted the environmental violations and illegal settlement that prompted the eviction, which was carried out by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), commonly known as KAI.
“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),” Rotimi-Akodu stated.
He further disclosed that 23 individuals were arrested during the eviction process, emphasizing that the law would be enforced to address such violations.
