Lagos Government Uncovers Illegal Apartments Under Ikoyi Bridge, Evicts Squatters

The Lagos State Government in Nigeria has discovered a network of 86 makeshift apartments beneath the popular Dolphin Estate Bridge in Ikoyi, where tenants were forced to pay an annual rent of N250,000 per room.

The apartments, ranging in size from 10x10 to 12x10 feet, were partitioned and used for various illegal activities, including housing a container for illicit purposes.

Officials from the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, along with the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), carried out an enforcement operation on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, to dismantle the illegal structures and evict the squatters. During the eviction process, a total of 23 individuals were arrested.

Kunle Rotimi-Akodu, Special Adviser to the Governor, confirmed the operation and stated that the illegal settlement under the bridge was exposing the critical infrastructure to potential destruction. The materials used to construct the shelters, such as wood, gas cylinders, and stored fuel, posed a significant risk of disaster.

Why this matters: The discovery of illegal settlements in urban areas highlights the challenges of housing affordability and the need for proper urban planning. The Lagos State government's actions aim to protect critical infrastructure and ensure public safety by removing unauthorized structures that pose risks to residents and the environment.

The government has emphasized that the law will take its course against illegal settlements and environmental violations. LAGESC officials will continue to monitor the area to prevent any further encroachment. "The illegal settlement under the bridge was exposing the critical infrastructure to potential destruction," Rotimi-Akodu said, underscoring the importance of the government's intervention to safeguard public assets and maintain order in the city.

Key Takeaways

• Lagos government discovered 86 makeshift apartments under Dolphin Estate Bridge.
• Tenants paid an annual rent of N250,000 per room in the illegal settlement.
• Authorities dismantled the structures and arrested 23 individuals during the eviction.
• The illegal settlement posed risks to critical infrastructure and public safety.
• The government's actions aim to address housing affordability and urban planning issues.