Lagos govt launches manhunt for suspected landlords of underbridge tenants
The Lagos State Government has initiated a comprehensive crackdown on illegal housing beneath Dolphin Bridge in Ikoyi, vowing to apprehend and prosecute the masterminds behind the illicit operation.
According to Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, the government’s resolve to ensure residents’ safety prompted the decisive action. Wahab revealed that a staggering “80 rooms, partitioned into cramped spaces of 10×10 and 10×12 dimensions,” were discovered beneath the Dolphin Bridge, alongside a container utilized for various illicit activities.
In a coordinated operation, law enforcement operatives dismantled the illegal structures and arrested 36 miscreants residing under the bridge. Efforts are now underway to apprehend the landlords who rented out these unlawful apartments, which even included electricity supply.
The crackdown on illegal housing is part of a broader effort to enforce the use of pedestrian bridges and uphold environmental laws. Recently, “1,032 individuals were arrested for crossing highways and neglecting pedestrian bridges.” Additionally, “165 miscreants occupying pedestrian bridges across the state were dislodged and the bridges cleaned up.”
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Furthermore, the Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to combat environmental degradation. A ban on Styrofoam food containers was enforced, leading to the confiscation of over “900 kg of Styrofoam products.” Additionally, “1,081 environmental offenders were arrested, with 1,016 prosecuted and sentenced to community service.”
Kunle Rotimi-Akodu, the Special Adviser on Environment and Water Resources to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, affirmed the eviction of illegal settlers beneath the bridge towards Dolphin Estate in Ikoyi. Rotimi-Akodu emphasized that the operation aimed to rid Lagos of illegal structures and maintain order across the metropolis.
As the Lagos State Government intensifies its efforts to uphold law and order, the crackdown on illegal housing underscores its commitment to ensuring a safe and sustainable environment for all residents.
