On Wednesday, Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, announced that the government had found an apartment in Ikoyi, beneath the Dolphin Estate Bridge, where renters pay N250,000 a year. Wahab posted these details along with some videos on X.com on Wednesday.
The commissioner claims that the 86 divided rooms in the under-bridge residence are “10×10 and 12×10 in size.” He continued by saying that all constructions beneath the Dolphin Estate Bridge had been effectively destroyed by the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources’ enforcement team, including a container used for a variety of illicit operations.
“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,” the commissioner stated, sharing videos. “The Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources enforcement team has removed them all.”
Kunle Rotimi-Akodu, a Special Advisor to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, verified the removal of unauthorized squatters from under the bridge and toward Dolphin Estate in Ikoyi.
According to Rotimi-Akodu, 23 people were taken into custody on Tuesday during the eviction, which was conducted by representatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, or KAI.
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.”
Additionally, he verified that the bridge had formerly held 86 rooms, divided into 10 by 10 and 12 by 10, for which squatters had paid an average of N250,000 year in rent.
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.
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. Twenty-three persons have so far been arrested and MoE/KAI will continue to monitor the place. The law will take its course.”
