Lagos: 86 rooms where squatters paid N250,000 annually found under Ikoyi bridge

• The tenants sheltering in the makeshift wooden accommodation are said to be paying N250,000 a year.

A bridge in Lagos beneath which 86 rooms were located have been discovered, authorities in the State have disclosed.

The 86 partitioned rooms, sized 10×10 and 12×10, were found under the Dolphin Estate Bridge, Ikoyi, on Lagos Island.

The tenants sheltering in the makeshift wooden accommodation are said to be paying N250,000 a year.

Lagos State’s Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made the disclosure on Wednesday.

Sharing the development in a post on X on Wednesday, along with videos, Wahab disclosed that all structures, including a container used for various illegal activities, have been removed from beneath the Dolphin Estate bridge.

He stated that the clearance exercise was carried out by the enforcement team of the Lagos State’s Ministry of Environment and Water Resources had successfully removed

Sharing videos he 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, further confirmed the eviction of squatters from beneath the bridge towards Dolphin Estate in Ikoyi over illegal settlement and environmental violations.

Rotimi-Akodu disclosed 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.”

He also confirmed that the bridge has hitherto 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