Twelve individuals have been taken into custody across Lagos Island, Yaba, and Ikorodu as the state government steps up its campaign against illegal waste disposal. The operation, led by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) Corps, aims to enforce sanitation standards.
LAWMA CEO Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin noted that 11 people were caught during surveillance near Yaba College of Technology and on Lagos Island. The suspects, including Onasanya Josphine, Godspower, Lucky Osaigie, Goodness John, Rasheed Abass, Yaya Cidi, Abubakar Amosu, Monday Lawal, Sanni A. Sanni, Opere Badmus, and Usman Nasir, face charges for improper waste management and scavenging. They are currently being processed for prosecution.
In Ikorodu, authorities arrested John Ehidreme, a school security guard, after a local resident reported him for dumping waste into a drainage system. Gbadegesin praised the whistleblower’s actions, noting that public cooperation is vital for maintaining a clean city. He warned that disposing of trash in unauthorized areas like drainage channels creates flooding risks and severe health hazards.
The government intends to continue these enforcement efforts statewide. Officials are reminding residents and business owners to utilize designated Private Sector Participants (PSPs) for waste collection and to report any environmental violations to the relevant authorities.
