The Lagos State Government has initiated a manhunt for the man who allotted the Dolphin under bridge apartments to tenants and was collecting N250,000 per annum from each tenant before the state dismantled the illegal place.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this on Friday while briefing newsmen on activities of the government through the ministry within the last one year.
The Commissioner added that the move followed the arrest of 36 illegal occupants of the under-bridge.
He also disclosed that no fewer than 36 tenants were apprehended by the ministry enforcement team, the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), during the clearance operation.
He said: “Just about 24 hours ago, the operatives carried out an operation that unearthed a major illegal housing settlement constructed under the Dolphin Bridge Ikoyi.
“An unbelievable 80 rooms partitioned 10×10 and 10×12 and a container used for different illegal activities was also discovered.
“All the structures have been dismantled and a total of 36 miscreants who lived under the were arrested while efforts are being intensified to arrest the ring leaders who rented out the under bridge apartments which also add electricity supply,” he added.
The state government had earlier dislodged tenants under Dolphins Estate Bridge, who paid N250, 000 annually to yet to be identified landlords.
The tenants, who were dislodged in the process were discovered during an enforcement exercise by officials of the state government during demolition of illegal structures.
He added that the enforcement team of Lagos State’s Ministry of Environment and Water Resources had successfully removed all structures, including a container utilised for various illegal activities, from beneath the Dolphin Estate Bridge.
