He added that operatives of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI/LAGESC) and officials from the Monitoring Enforcement and Compliance (MEC) Department of the ministry would be given security backup, as they enforce the demolition, which is part of a major environmental and security operation.
According to the Special Assistant to the State Governor on Environment, Kunle Rotimi-Akodu in a post on X: “Continuation of the removal of the 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 use gas cylinders, some had stored fuel for their generators, these are recipes for disaster.”
This brings the number of suspects arrested by the authorities in connection with the illegal settlement under the bridge to 34.
The governor’s aide had earlier announced the eviction and arrests carried out on Tuesday by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), popularly known as KAI under the bridge. He revealed that 23 persons were arrested in connection with the illegal settlement.
Eighty-six rooms housing the squatters were reportedly discovered squatters under the bridge.
He wrote: “The bridge has hitherto housed 86 rooms, partitioned into 10×10 and 12×10. Squatters there have been paying an average rent of N250k p.a.
“Squatters dwelling under the bridge leading from inward Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi were evicted today Tuesday, 30th of April, 2024 by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps LAGESC (aka KAI).
“These people created their own illegal settlement 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 definitely take its course.”