The Lagos State Government has commenced an investigation into allegations that an official of its Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), popularly called KAI, collected bribes from environmental sanitation offenders after a video of the alleged misconduct went viral on social media.
The government said the officer captured in the video has been summoned and placed on operational leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation, reiterating its zero-tolerance policy on corruption and indiscipline in the public service.
It stared on Friday that the swift action taken against the operative underscores the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s resolve to uphold integrity, accountability and public confidence in law enforcement and environmental sanitation operations across the state.
As gathered, the viral video has generated widespread public reactions on social media, with many Lagosians calling for a thorough investigation and appropriate sanctions if the allegations are substantiated.
In response to the criticism, the Corps Marshal of LAGESC, Major olaniyi Cole (Rtd), said the agency’s attention was drawn to a viral video showing a KAI operative allegedly receiving cash from detained environmental sanitation defaulters inside one of the agency’s Green Maria enforcement vehicles.
The Corps Marshal, in a statement released by the agency spokesperson, Lukman Ajayi, disclosed that the operative has been withdrawn from operational duties while the agency’s Provost and Administrative Department carries out a comprehensive investigation in line with the Lagos State Civil Service Rules.
Cole assured Lagos residents that the agency would leave no stone unturned in uncovering the circumstances surrounding the incident, stressing that any officer found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary measures.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to professionalism, accountability and transparency, declaring that corruption and other forms of misconduct would not be tolerated within the corps.
“The Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps boss maintained that the Agency has zero tolerance for indiscipline and all forms of corruption,” adding that the investigation would be conducted expeditiously.
He further assured residents that the incident would not derail its mandate of enforcing environmental sanitation laws across the state, promising improved service delivery in line with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ development agenda aimed at making Lagos cleaner, safer and more habitable for residents and businesses.