Lagos State’s Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, revealed on Wednesday the discovery of 86 partitioned rooms beneath the Dolphin Estate Bridge in Ikoyi, Lagos Island.
Wahab shared this development on his social media handle along with a video showing the rooms and the enforcement team removing them.
Each room, measuring 10×10 and 12×10, was rented out to tenants at an annual rate of N250,000.
The discovery also included a container used for various illegal activities.
Sharing the video, Wahab wrote, “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.”
A Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Kunle Rotimi-Akodu, confirmed the eviction of squatters from beneath the bridge towards Dolphin Estate in Ikoyi due to illegal settlement and environmental violations.
The eviction, carried out by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps led to the arrest of 23 individuals.
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.”
“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.
