In a surprising revelation, the Lagos State government uncovered a makeshift apartment complex beneath the Dolphin Estate Bridge in Ikoyi, where an organized community of tenants paid rents of up to N250,000 annually. The makeshift housing, which included 86 partitioned rooms measuring 10x10 and 12x10 feet, was dismantled by state authorities.
Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, disclosed the find in a recent post on X.com, accompanied by videos from the site. According to Wahab, the illegal structures, which included various rooms and a container used for different unlawful activities, have been completely removed by the enforcement team of his ministry.
The eviction was executed by officials from the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), also known as KAI, which led to the arrest of 23 individuals residing under the bridge. Kunle Rotimi-Akodu, a Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, shared that the operation was necessary to prevent the degradation of crucial infrastructure and ensure public safety.
Rotimi-Akodu detailed the hazards posed by the settlement: "The construction of shelters using wood materials, the usage of gas cylinders, and the storage of fuel for generators were all recipes for disaster under such critical infrastructure."
The evicted area had reportedly hosted numerous residents who, despite the dangers and legality, created a living space under the bridge. The state government has vowed to continue monitoring the location to prevent reoccupation and ensure that no similar settlements endanger the structural integrity or safety of public infrastructure in the future.
This action is part of broader efforts by Lagos State to address safety concerns and regulate urban spaces effectively, ensuring that all habitations meet safety and legal standards
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