The Lagos State government has initiated a manhunt for illegal landlords who have been renting out apartments located under bridges to tenants, including families with children.
This action follows the discovery of such apartments beneath the Dolphin Estate Bridge in the Ikoyi area of the state.
The apartments, consisting of 86 partitioned rooms with sizes ranging from 10×10 to 12×10, were found to be rented out at an annual rate of N250,000 per room. Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced this during a ministerial press briefing held at Alausa, Ikeja, to mark the first year of the second term in office of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat.
Wahab stated that the illegal landlords would be prosecuted once apprehended. He also highlighted other measures being taken by the state government to ensure the safety of residents, including the enforcement of the use of pedestrian bridges.
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In this regard, a total of 1,032 persons were arrested for crossing highways and failing to use pedestrian bridges. Additionally, 165 miscreants and squatters on pedestrian bridges across the state were dislodged and the bridges cleaned up.
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During a recent operation, a major illegal housing settlement was discovered under the Dolphin Bridge in Ikoyi. This settlement comprised 80 rooms partitioned into 10×10 and 10×12 sizes, with a container used for various illegal activities also found on the premises. All structures were dismantled, and 36 miscreants living under the bridges were arrested. Efforts are underway to apprehend the ring leaders who rented out the under-bridge apartments, which also included electricity supply.
Furthermore, following the ban on the use, sale, and distribution of Styrofoam food containers due to health and environmental concerns, the ministry has confiscated over 900 kg of such containers. These have been deposited at TLS Marini in Oshodi for destruction.
