Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Task Force have arrested 26 suspects in separate enforcement actions targeting illegal waste disposal and alleged extortion rackets involving cart pushers in parts of the state. The arrests were made on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, during coordinated operations aimed at enforcing environmental laws and clearing public spaces of unsanctioned activities.
According to officials, the task force acted on credible intelligence that groups of miscreants had taken control of the Orile Under Bridge area, where they were extorting money from cart pushers — informal waste collectors — who were illegally disposing refuse in the vicinity. Cart pushers were reportedly being charged arbitrary fees to dump waste at the site, a practice that contravenes Lagos State’s waste management regulations.
Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, confirmed the development, explaining that taskforce operatives launched a raid around 2:45 p.m. following reports of extortion at the location. During the operation, the 26 suspects were taken into custody and have since been detained for further investigation and appropriate legal action.
In addition to the extortion crackdown, the task force intensified its ongoing environmental enforcement earlier that day, clearing unauthorized makeshift dwellings and illegally erected structures along the Coastal Road corridor. These enforcement measures form part of broader efforts to prevent public infrastructure and open spaces from being hijacked for unlawful purposes.
The arrests underscore renewed enforcement activity by Lagos State authorities to combat indiscriminate dumping and exploitation of waste management gaps by unscrupulous elements. Residents and cart pushers alike have been reminded that waste disposal must follow approved channels and that extortion or bribery in exchange for access to illegal dumping sites will not be tolerated.
The suspects remain in custody pending further investigation and possible prosecution under Lagos State environmental protection and public health laws. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to sustained enforcement to protect public infrastructure and ensure compliance with sanitation and environmental standards throughout the metropolis.
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