Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Lagos State Government has arrested three individuals for allegedly dumping waste illegally in the Ketu-Alapere area of the state, escalating its enforcement of environmental sanitation laws under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed the development in a statement on his official X handle on Sunday, May 10, 2026, confirming that the arrests were made by the Waste Infractions Surveillance and Investigation Team of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA). According to the statement, the team carried out an intensive overnight surveillance operation between the night of May 8 and the early hours of May 9, 2026, focusing on the Ketu-Alapere axis, a corridor that has been identified as a persistent blackspot for indiscriminate refuse dumping.
During the operation, the three individuals were apprehended while unlawfully disposing of waste at unauthorised locations within the area. The commissioner noted that all three suspects were traced to their residences as part of the investigative process, a move designed to uncover the motives behind their environmental violations. Preliminary investigations revealed that the properties linked to the suspects lacked proper waste storage facilities and were not registered with designated Private Sector Participant (PSP) operators, who are legally responsible for waste collection in specific zones across the metropolis. “All documented properties have been forwarded to the LAWMA legal department for further legal action,” the commissioner stated, sending a clear signal that the state would not tolerate further breaches of its sanitation code.
In a significant escalation of its enforcement strategy, LAWMA has moved beyond mere on‑the‑spot fines to a more intrusive investigative approach, including visiting the homes of offenders. The agency has also confirmed that the blackspots identified during the operation were immediately cleared and sanitised to prevent further illegal dumping. Mr. Tokunbo Wahab reiterated the state government’s unwavering commitment to enforcing environmental sanitation laws and warned residents against the dangers and legal consequences of indiscriminate waste disposal. The arrests form part of a broader, intensified campaign by LAWMA to curb the growing menace of illegal waste dumping across the 20 local government areas of Lagos State, a problem that has led to flooding, the spread of vector‑borne diseases, and the degradation of public infrastructure.
The Lagos Waste Management Authority has been under increasing pressure to demonstrate results in its enforcement drive, particularly after the state government declared a state of emergency on environmental sanitation earlier in 2026. The agency’s legal department has now taken custody of the case files of the three arrested individuals, and sources indicate that they are likely to be arraigned before the Special Offences (Mobile) Court in Ikeja. LAWMA has reiterated its commitment to sustaining overnight surveillance and enforcement activities, ensuring that no part of the state is left unmonitored in the collective push for a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos.
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