Nigerian Govt Discovers Under-bridge Apartment Where Tenants Pay N250,000 Rent Annually
Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, stated on Wednesday that the government uncovered an apartment under the Dolphin Estate Bridge in Ikoyi for which renters pay an annual fee of N250,000.
According to the commissioner, the under-bridge residence contains 86 partitioned rooms sized “10×10 and 12×10”.
Wahab revealed this information in a post on X.com on Wednesday, along with videos.
He stated that the enforcement team from Lagos State’s Ministry of Environment and Water Resources had effectively removed all structures, including a container used for various unlawful activities, from beneath the Dolphin Estate Bridge.
Sharing videos, the commissioner 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 illegal settlers from beneath the bridge towards Dolphin Estate in Ikoyi.
Rotimi-Akodu said 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.
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.”
