The Lagos State Government has intensified its campaign against environmental violations, arresting 12 suspected offenders in separate enforcement operations across Lagos Island, Yaba and Ikorodu.
The arrests form part of ongoing efforts to curb indiscriminate waste disposal, illegal dumping and other sanitation offences blamed for blocked drainage channels, flooding and environmental degradation across the state.
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) disclosed the development in a statement on Thursday, saying the operations were carried out by its Project WISE Enforcement Team in collaboration with the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) Corps.
According to LAWMA Managing Director, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, 11 suspects were arrested during surveillance operations around Lagos Island and the Yaba College of Technology axis for offences ranging from indiscriminate waste disposal to scavenging and other environmental infractions.
Those arrested 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. They are expected to face prosecution.
In a separate operation in Ikorodu, operatives arrested a school security guard, John Ehidreme, after a resident reportedly captured him on video dumping refuse into a drainage channel.
Commending the resident for reporting the incident, Gbadegesin said environmental protection requires the active participation of the public.
“Environmental protection is a shared responsibility, and we encourage residents to emulate this example by reporting environmental offenders through the appropriate government channels,” he said.
The LAWMA boss condemned the indiscriminate dumping of refuse on road medians, sidewalks and drainage channels, warning that such practices contribute to flooding, threaten public health and degrade the environment.
He assured residents that surveillance and enforcement operations would continue across the state to identify and prosecute environmental offenders.
Gbadegesin also urged households, businesses and institutions to patronise only accredited Private Sector Participants (PSPs) for waste collection and comply with approved waste disposal regulations.
He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to achieving a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Lagos through sustained enforcement, public sensitisation and stakeholder collaboration.