Residents and passers-by are currently gripped with fear as the space under the bridge on Obafemi Awolowo Road, Ikeja, Lagos has become a haven for rogues and mentally-ill people.

Despite the efforts of the Lagos State Task Force, the spot popularly called Ikeja Under Bridge also serves as stalls for petty traders, especially in the evening.

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu, launched a revolution in 2020 which restored sanity to the bridge but now, the situation has returned to how it was before the intervention.

During a visit to the bridge on Monday, our correspondent learnt that road users were always scared when passing by the bridge, especially at night because of the presence of fierce-looking louts who were always under the influence of hard drugs or alcohol.

It was further learnt that petty traders pay certain amounts of money to the miscreants so that they can allow them to sell their wares under the bridge.

A trader who identified herself as Omobolanle said the miscreants subjected unsuspecting passersby to sexual harassment at night, apart from dispossessing them of their valuables.

“It is usually risky here at night because I have seen a lot of bad things happening such as sexual harassment, and stealing of phones and wallets. It is very dangerous to be around the bridge at night and early in the morning,” Omobolanle said.

One of the louts seen under the bridge who identified himself as Sola said he resorted to passing the night there because of the high cost of rent.

“It is difficult to get money to rent an apartment in Lagos. Things are too expensive and some of us do not have the money to rent an apartment. We don’t have a choice but we hope one day we will have our own houses or have the money to rent an apartment,” he said.

Efforts to get the reaction of the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, proved abortive as his phone rang out on Monday and messages sent were yet to be responded to as of the time of filing this report.

SpartaOfLagos:

When you see them shouting "Our Lagos", you will think they are contributing any meaningful development to the state . Na under bridge and motor parks most of them dey live like Sola

SpartaOfLagos:

Says Under bridge occupant

Jostoman:
you guys will never disappoint so Punch don turn to igbo or IPOB now now

Valac:


Abeg getta 😒

SpartaOfLagos:
According to the report , One of the occupants of the under bridge name is 'Sola' and he's living under the bridge because he could not afford house rent in Lagos .

Sola may just be one of those shouting "Our Lagos" but na under bridge he dey live .


This news by Punch newspaper has just confirmed to what the South east people have been saying that the Igbos contributed a great deal to the development of Lagos

OyeofIkoTuN:
Wahala wahala...

We will sanitize Ikotun...Insha Allah.. and we won't accept illegal migrants from Ilorin to cause damage in Ikotun...

winner37:
How don't understand, how someone be living under bridge 🌉, how will he have his bath and take care of himself?