Lagos under bridge houses where tenants pay N250k yearly

In Ikoyi, Lagos Island, 86 partitioned chambers were found beneath the Dolphin Estate Bridge, according to information released on Wednesday by Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos State’s Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources.

Each of the two rooms, which measured 10 by 10 and 12 by 10, was reportedly rented to renters for N250,000 a year.

Wahab revealed this development by posting a video evidence along with a post on his X account.

He clarified that all of the buildings under the Dolphin Estate bridge had been successfully removed by the enforcement team from the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, including a container that was being used for a variety of illegal activities were discovered under the Dolphin Estate bridge.

“A total of 86 rooms, partitioned into 10×10 and 12×10, and a container used for different illegal activities,” Wahab stated in the video that he posted.

“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 over the aforesaid 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, popularly known as KAI on Tuesday.

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.