The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Works, has demolished 22 illegal structures beneath the Iddo Bridge in Lagos State, citing severe safety concerns and structural damage.
The demolition followed an order by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, who inspected the site on Sunday, May 25, alongside structural engineers and officials from Julius Berger Nigeria.
During the inspection, Umahi expressed deep concern over the extent of the damage caused by unlawful human activities beneath the bridge. “We are here with bridge experts to assess the Iddo Bridge, which was damaged due to illegal occupation. People have turned the underpass into shops, warehouses, and even homes. These activities have compromised the integrity of the structure,” he said.
Julius Berger engineers reportedly advised that the bridge must be demolished and rebuilt due to the extent of the damage.
Resistance and Legal Claims
Umahi noted that similar structural issues have been observed on Cowry and Independence bridges in Lagos. He also revealed that efforts to evacuate the illegal occupants were previously resisted, with some individuals claiming that the issue was already in court.
“They refused to vacate the area, saying the matter is in court. But we can’t allow commerce to take priority over the lives and safety of Lagosians,” Umahi stated.
He directed the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Olukorede Kesha, to carry out the complete removal of all illegal structures under the bridge.
N32 Million Annual Rent Scheme Exposed
In the aftermath of the clearance, a rent scheme involving an unnamed “landlord” was uncovered. According to reports, the 22 occupants had been paying N1.6 million annually each for compartments beneath the bridge—amounting to a total of N32.2 million per year.
One of the evicted occupants, speaking anonymously, claimed they were initially asked to vacate the area in 2024, but were assured by the person renting out the space that they could remain.
“We got a notice to leave last year, but the person who gave us the space told us not to worry. It seems things continued due to a change in leadership,” the source said.
When asked about the identity of those behind the illegal subletting, Kesha responded: “I don’t have that information. The minister simply instructed us to demolish the illegal structures, and we have complied. He will decide what happens next to those responsible for leasing out the space.”
The development has sparked fresh concerns about urban safety, illegal occupation of federal infrastructure, and corruption in public spaces.
