In a surprising discovery, the Lagos State government has uncovered a network of 86 partitioned rooms, hidden beneath the Dolphin Estate Bridge on Lagos Island. The makeshift apartments, ranging in size from 10×10 to 12×10, were being rented out to tenants at a staggering rate of ₦250,000 per year.
The shocking revelation was made by Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, who shared the information and accompanying videos on social media.
Wahab stated that the enforcement team from the state’s Ministry of Environment and Water Resources had successfully removed all structures, including a container used for various illegal activities, from the area.
Kunle Rotimi-Akodu, a Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, further confirmed the eviction of the squatters and the arrest of 23 individuals during the operation conducted by the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), also known as KAI.
Rotimi-Akodu emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting that the illegal settlement had exposed the critical infrastructure beneath the bridge to potential destruction. He also revealed that the authorities had discovered the use of wood materials, gas cylinders, and stored fuel for generators within the makeshift shelters, posing a significant fire hazard.
The discovery and subsequent removal of the illegal structures highlight the ongoing efforts by the Lagos State government to address the issue of unauthorized settlements and environmental violations within the city. The authorities have vowed to continue monitoring the area and ensure that the law takes its course, sending a clear message that such illegal activities will not be tolerated.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the government in maintaining the integrity of its infrastructure and promoting sustainable urban development in the densely populated metropolis of Lagos.
