By Lukman Olabiyi
Lagos State Government yesterday disclosed that it has launched a manhunt for the acclaimed ‘landlords’ who rented out the under-bridge apartments to tenants.
The state government had, during the week, dislodged tenants under Dolphins Estate Bridge, who claimed that they paid N250, 000 annually to landlords involved in the nefarious act.
Again on Thursday, the state government announced the discovery of another illegal settlement under Osborne Bridge, Ikoyi.
Giving an update on ongoing move for removal of illegal structures, the state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, at the on-going Ministerial Press briefing to commemorate the first year of the second term in office of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, revealed that the state government has launched a manhunt for arrest of the acclaimed landlords.
He said the state government has intensified efforts to arrest for prosecution the ring leaders who rented out the under-bridge apartments to tenants who also rear children in the place.
He also said: “In a renewed step to ensure safety of lives of residents, the operatives of Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI/LAGESC, in line with the provisions of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Management law, renewed the enforcement of the use of pedestrian bridges.
“At the count, a total number of 1,032 persons were arrested for crossing the highway and failure to use pedestrian bridges.
“About 165 miscreants and squatters on the pedestrian bridges across the state were also dislodged and the bridges cleaned up.
“Efforts are being intensified to arrest the ring leaders who rented out the under-bridge apartments.”