Police Officer Arrested for Aiding Illegal Waste Dumping in Ilorin

On Thursday, the Kwara State Ministry of Environment uncovered an illegal dump site near the General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport in Ilorin, where commercial waste collectors and local residents have been unlawfully disposing of their refuse, violating state environmental laws.

The ministry also apprehended Inspector Adamu Usman, a police officer stationed at the airport, for allegedly aiding the illegal activity. He has since been handed over to the Kwara State Police Command headquarters in Ilorin EKO HOT BLOG gathered.

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Nafisat Musa Buge, the State Commissioner for Environment, led the enforcement team to the site, revealing that the dump site was discovered after placing the waste collectors under surveillance.

“We discovered this illegal dump site, created by unidentified individuals, primarily used by commercial waste collectors who disregard our warnings about improper waste management and the penalties involved,” she told reporters on Thursday evening.

Buge explained that the site was uncovered late Wednesday night, when a waste collector was tracked from the airport road to the location, leading to the discovery of the large illegal dump site.

“This area is extremely hazardous, situated near the airport and the Aviation College. We have an approved dump site at Oko Olowo Expressway, Sokoto Aiyekale, but this location poses significant risks to both the airport and nearby residents,” she said.

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As a result, the license of the implicated waste collector has been revoked, and he faces a fine of N250,000.

The Commissioner emphasized the ministry’s ongoing efforts to curb illegal waste dumping, noting that 124 offenders have been prosecuted so far, with eight individuals sentenced to jail for offenses related to indiscriminate dumping and illegal scavenging.

“Our enforcement of environmental standards is relentless and will continue until we eliminate this dangerous habit,” Buge stated.

Waste Dump

EKO HOT BLOG reports that waste management in the state has seen marked improvement since the ministry began its enforcement efforts. The Commissioner reported that compliance has reached approximately 70% in just a few days, with previously littered streets now much cleaner.

“Residents are now holding onto their waste until our vehicles arrive, and many are using the services of approved commercial waste collectors, whose details we recently made public. This has led to significant progress,” she added.

The Commissioner was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Abubakar Ayinla; the Secretary of the State Environmental Protection Agency, Idayat Folohunsho; and the Chairman of the Waste Disposal Association of Kwara State, Sakariya Tairu, among others.

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