The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has intensified its enforcement drive across the state, arresting 14 individuals on Lagos Island for environmental violations and seizing numerous waste carts along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
Managing Director and CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, confirmed the weekend crackdown, emphasizing the agency’s determination to uphold waste management regulations and eliminate unauthorized collection networks.
The Lagos Island enforcement sweep spanned Idumota, Oke-Popo, Tom Jones, and Tinubu, leading to the arrest of 14 suspects for offences including illegal waste discharge into local waterways. The suspects were identified as Buhari Danbaba (35), Ayo Akindele (25), Shamsudeen Lawal (25), Ibrahim Isiaka (20), Azeez Alatilehin (20), Quadri Adisa (23), Ogunbado Sobur (20), Salimonu Oluwadamilare (29), Odunayo Arinola (35), Azeez Roqeeb (24), Sherifdeen Mudashiru (31), Nurudeen Saliu (19), Zazilo Bello (21), and Augustine Eje (35).
Concurrently, LAWMA operatives targeted unaccredited collectors operating along the Mile 2 to Okokomaiko corridor on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, confiscating dozens of handcarts. Dr. Gbadegesin highlighted that unregulated operators jeopardize structured sanitation infrastructure and often resort to illegal dumping on roads and in drainage channels.
Warning against turning waterways into dumping sites, the LAWMA chief reaffirmed that the state government will strictly enforce environmental laws. He urged residents, businesses, and traders to discontinue patronage of informal collectors and utilize only accredited waste management channels.
