Lagos State’s Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, revealed on Wednesday that the government had uncovered 86 partitioned rooms beneath the Dolphin Estate Bridge in Ikoyi, Lagos Island.
These rooms, measuring 10×10 and 12×10 in size, were being rented out to tenants for N250,000 per annum. Wahab shared this discovery via a post on X.com, accompanied by videos showing the enforcement team of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources removing all structures, including a container used for illegal activities, from beneath the bridge.
In his post, Wahab stated, “A total 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.”
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 illegal settlement and environmental violations. Rotimi-Akodu mentioned that 23 individuals were arrested during the eviction, carried out by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, commonly known as KAI, on Tuesday.
He wrote, “Squatters dwelling under the bridge leading from inward Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, were evicted today, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps LAGESC (aka KAI).
These people created their illegal settlement under the bridge, thereby exposing 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 also confirmed that the bridge had previously 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.
