The Lagos State Government has arrested 12 suspected environmental offenders in separate enforcement operations across Lagos Island, Yaba and Ikorodu as part of intensified efforts to curb indiscriminate waste disposal and other environmental violations.
The arrests were carried out by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) in collaboration with the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) Corps during routine surveillance and enforcement exercises aimed at improving environmental sanitation and ensuring compliance with the state’s waste management regulations.
Speaking on the operations, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the agency’s Project WISE Enforcement Team apprehended 11 suspects during surveillance activities conducted on Lagos Island and around the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) axis.
According to him, the suspects were arrested for offences including indiscriminate waste disposal, illegal scavenging and other environmental infractions.
The suspects were identified as Onasanya Josphine, who was arrested in Yaba, 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 accordance with the environmental laws of Lagos State.
In a separate enforcement operation in Ikorodu, operatives of the KAI Corps arrested a school security guard, John Ehidreme, after a resident reportedly caught him emptying refuse from a waste bin into a drainage channel in front of the school where he worked.
The LAWMA boss said the suspect had also been taken into custody and would face prosecution under the relevant environmental laws.
Commending the resident whose report led to the arrest, Gbadegesin described the intervention as an example of the public participation needed to achieve a cleaner 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.
Gbadegesin condemned the indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage channels, road medians, sidewalks and other unauthorised locations, warning that such practices obstruct drainage systems, increase the risk of flooding, degrade the environment and pose significant public health risks.
He said the latest arrests formed part of the Lagos State Government’s sustained enforcement strategy to eliminate environmental violations, strengthen compliance with waste management regulations and safeguard public health.
The LAWMA chief added that surveillance and enforcement operations would continue across the state through collaboration between environmental and security agencies to ensure offenders are identified and prosecuted.
He urged residents, businesses and institutions to patronise only their designated Private Sector Participants (PSPs) for waste collection, comply with approved waste disposal practices and promptly report environmental violations through official government channels.
Gbadegesin reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to achieving a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Lagos through sustained enforcement, public sensitisation and stronger collaboration with residents and other stakeholders. U.N.