Officials enforcing environmental sanitation laws in Lagos have apprehended five individuals during an early morning operation aimed at curbing open defecation and other environmental nuisances in the state.
The enforcement exercise was carried out around Ebute Ero and surrounding areas on Lagos Island.
The development was disclosed on Thursday by the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, in a video shared on his X handle.
According to Wahab, the operation was conducted by an anti-open defecation squad as part of ongoing efforts by the government to improve environmental sanitation across the state.
He said five defaulters were apprehended during the operation and taken to the enforcement office at Sura-Simpson for further investigation.
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The commissioner added that the suspects would subsequently be transferred to the headquarters of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps in Oshodi for prosecution in accordance with existing laws.
Wahab noted that the enforcement drive forms part of the state government’s ongoing campaign to curb open defecation and maintain environmental hygiene.
The Lagos State Government has repeatedly warned residents and visitors to desist from open defecation and other activities that degrade the environment.
Authorities have also intensified enforcement across various parts of the state, with at least 275 residents reportedly arrested in recent operations for defecating in public places despite the availability of 8,710 functional public toilets across Lagos.