Usman Hassan, a 75-year-old Ghanaian and former teacher, found himself among the displaced squatters of the 86 apartments under the Dolphin Estate Bridge in Ikoyi, Lagos State. He revealed that he resorted to living under the bridge due to the unaffordable cost of living in Lagos, having relocated from Ogun State. Hassan lamented losing some of his belongings during the eviction process, as he was not present during the officials' action.

Hassan explained that the owner of the place did not force people to stay there; rather, it was a practical solution for those unable to afford housing within Lagos. He mentioned that some workers from nearby companies were allowed to stay there, possibly in exchange for work-related benefits. Despite not paying rent himself, Hassan acknowledged that others might have paid varying amounts, possibly around N250,000 annually.

Another occupant, a 12-year-old girl from Kogi State named Usena, shared her experience, stating that her elder sister brought her from the village to live under the bridge. Although her sister paid rent, Usena expressed a desire for a new house where she could live peacefully with her parents.

A farmer among the occupants admitted to paying an initial fee of N40,000 and subsequently N20,000 quarterly for the makeshift apartment under the bridge.

Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed that the government discovered the partitioned rooms under the Dolphin Estate Bridge, with tenants paying N250,000 per annum. The enforcement team successfully removed all structures, including a container used for various illegal activities.

Despite the eviction, the occupants, including Hassan and Usena, face uncertainty about their future living arrangements, highlighting the challenges of affordable housing in Lagos.

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