Lagos Arrests 12 for Illegal Waste Disposal, Environmental Violations

Lagos Arrests 12 for Illegal Waste Disposal, Environmental Violations
Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the agency’s Project WISE Enforcement Team apprehended 11 suspects during surveillance operations around Lagos Island
Gbadegesin said the suspects had been taken into custody and would be prosecuted in line with the environmental laws of Lagos State

The Lagos State Government has arrested 12 suspected environmental offenders in separate enforcement operations across Lagos Island, Yaba and Ikorodu as part of efforts to curb indiscriminate waste disposal and other environmental violations.

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Eko Hot Blog reports that the arrests were carried out by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) in collaboration with the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) Corps during ongoing enforcement exercises aimed at improving environmental sanitation and ensuring compliance with the state’s waste management laws.

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Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the agency’s Project WISE Enforcement Team apprehended 11 suspects during surveillance operations around Lagos Island and the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) area.

According to him, the suspects were arrested for offences including indiscriminate waste disposal, scavenging and other environmental infractions.

The suspects were identified as Onasanya Josphine, Godspower, Lucky Osaigie, Goodness John, Rasheed Abass, Yaya Cidi, Abubakar Amosu, Monday Lawal, Sanni A. Sanni, Opere Badmus and Usman Nasir.

Gbadegesin said the suspects had been taken into custody and would be prosecuted in line with the environmental laws of Lagos State.

In a separate operation in Ikorodu, officers of the KAI Corps also arrested a school security guard, Mr. John Ehidreme, after a resident allegedly recorded him emptying waste into a drainage channel in front of the school where he worked.

The LAWMA boss said the suspect would also face prosecution under the state’s environmental laws.

Gbadegesin commended the resident whose report led to the arrest, describing the action as a demonstration of the active public participation needed to achieve a cleaner and healthier environment.

“We commend the public spirited citizen whose timely intervention made this enforcement action possible. Environmental protection is a shared responsibility, and we encourage residents to emulate this example by reporting environmental offenders through the appropriate government channels. Together, we can build a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Lagos,” he said.

He described the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainage channels, road medians, sidewalks and other unauthorised locations as unacceptable, warning that such practices contribute to blocked drains, flooding, environmental degradation and public health risks.

Gbadegesin added that surveillance and enforcement operations would continue across the state through collaboration among environmental and security agencies to ensure compliance with waste management regulations.

He urged residents, businesses and institutions to patronise only their assigned Private Sector Participants (PSPs), comply with approved waste disposal practices and report environmental infractions through official government channels.