The Lagos State Government has once again warned residents against indiscriminate waste disposal, stressing that the practice is a punishable offence under the state’s environmental laws.
This warning follows the arrest of twelve persons, including a 56-year-old man, at different locations across the state for offences relating to improper waste disposal and other environmental infractions.
The enforcement operations were carried out at Lagos Island, Yaba and Ikorodu, as the Lagos Waste Management Authority ,LAWMA, in collaboration with the Kick Against Indiscipline ,KAI, Corps, intensified efforts to curb indiscriminate waste disposal and other environmental violations across the state.
Commenting on the sustained enforcement operations, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, disclosed that the Authority’s Project WISE Enforcement Team, during separate surveillance operations, apprehended ten suspects in various parts of Lagos Island and one suspect at the YabaTech axis of Yaba for offences including indiscriminate waste disposal, scavenging and other environmental infractions.
He identified the suspects as Onasanya Josphine (arrested at Yaba), God’s Power, Lucky Osaigie, Goodness John, Rasheed Abass, Yaya Cidi, Abubakar Amosu, Monday Lawal, Sanni A. Sanni, Opere Badmus and Usman Nasir. According to him, all the suspects have been taken into custody and will be prosecuted in accordance with the environmental laws of Lagos State.
Dr. Gbadegesin further disclosed that, in a separate operation at Ikorodu, officers of KAI apprehended a school security guard after a public-spirited citizen recorded a video showing him emptying the contents of a waste bin into a drainage channel in front of the school where he worked and reported the incident to the authorities.
He identified the suspect as Mr. John Ehidreme, adding that he has also been taken into custody and will face prosecution under the relevant environmental laws of Lagos State.
The LAWMA MD commended the concerned citizen for his vigilance and civic responsibility, describing the action as a shining example of the active public participation required to achieve a cleaner and more sustainable Lagos.
“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.
Dr. Gbadegesin described the indiscriminate dumping of waste into drainage channels, on road medians, sidewalks and other unauthorised locations as unacceptable, noting that such practices obstruct drainage systems, increase flood risks, degrade the environment and pose serious threats to public health.
He stressed that the arrests form part of the Lagos State Government’s sustained enforcement drive aimed at eliminating indiscriminate waste disposal, strengthening compliance with environmental laws and safeguarding public health.
According to him, surveillance and enforcement operations will continue across the state through close collaboration among relevant environmental and security agencies to ensure that environmental offenders are apprehended and brought to justice.
The LAWMA boss urged residents, businesses and institutions to patronise only their assigned Private Sector Participants ,PSPs, comply with approved waste management practices, and support government efforts by promptly reporting environmental infractions through official channels.
He reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to maintaining a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Lagos through sustained enforcement, community engagement and strategic collaboration among relevant agencies.
Reporting By Innocent Onoh