The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, revealed a startling discovery on Wednesday, announcing that 86 partitioned rooms were found beneath the Dolphin Estate Bridge in Ikoyi, Lagos Island.
Reports indicate that each room, measuring 10×10 and 12×10, was being rented out to tenants at an annual rate of N250,000. Wahab disclosed this development via a post on his social media handle, accompanied by video evidence.
In the shared video, Wahab explained that a team from the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources successfully dismantled all structures, including a container utilized for various illicit activities, from beneath the Dolphin Estate 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. They have all been removed by the enforcement team of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources,” Wahab wrote.
Kunle Rotimi-Akodu, a Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, confirmed the eviction of squatters from beneath the bridge towards Dolphin Estate in Ikoyi due to the illegal settlement and environmental violations.
Rotimi-Akodu noted that 23 individuals were arrested during the eviction, which was carried out by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), commonly known as KAI, on Tuesday.
“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,” Rotimi-Akodu stated.
He added, “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.”
