86 rooms discovered under Lagos bridge where tenants paid N250,000 a year as rent

Rooms discovered under the bridge in Lagos

The Lagos State authorities have revealed that they discovered 86 rooms under the Dolphin Estate Bridge in Ikoyi on Lagos Island where tenants were reported to have paid N250,000 a year as rent.

According to the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the rooms were said to be sized 10x10 and 12x10.

Taking to social media to make the discovery known, Wahab noted that the enforcement team of the Ministry successfully removed all structures, which included a container used for various illegal activities, from underneath the Dolphin Estate bridge.

He said, “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, confirmed the eviction of squatters from the bridge, describing it as an illegal settlement and environmental violations.

Rotimi-Akodu noted that 23 persons were arrested during the eviction that took place on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.

“Squatters dwelling under the bridge leading from inward Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi were evicted Tuesday, 30th of April, 2024 by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps LAGESC (aka KAI). These people created their illegal settlements 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 wrote.