Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Lagos State Government has arrested 10,634 environmental offenders within one year as part of a sustained campaign to reclaim public spaces and enforce environmental laws, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has announced. The figure was revealed during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, on Sunday, 24 May 2026. Wahab, who was represented by the ministry's Director of Public Affairs, Kunle Adeshina, said the arrests represent a “decisive enforcement action” aimed at curbing environmental infractions and restoring order across the state.
The breakdown of the arrests shows that the highest number of offenders, 5,715 persons, were apprehended for illegal highway crossing. The offence, which involves pedestrians crossing major highways instead of using designated pedestrian bridges, has been a persistent challenge in Lagos. The government has in the past issued directives to arrest offenders and charge them to court, but the latest figure confirms an intensified enforcement strategy. The next most frequent violation was street trading, environmental pollution, and cart pushing, which accounted for 3,886 arrests. Wahab noted that these activities block roads, contribute to filth, and create security hazards in busy commercial areas.
A separate category of offenders involved waste management. A total of 931 persons were arrested for waste‑related offences, including illegal dumping, indiscriminate refuse disposal, and failure to patronise accredited Private Sector Participation operators. Another 102 persons were arrested for open defecation, a practice that has persisted despite the availability of over 8,000 public toilets across the state. Wahab described open defecation as a major public health risk and vowed to continue the “zero tolerance” campaign against it. The commissioner also disclosed that the ministry sealed 239 facilities and issued 1,711 contravention notices for various environmental infractions, especially among commercial properties and unregulated landfills.
Beyond arrests, Wahab highlighted new infrastructure and policy initiatives aimed at deepening the environmental turnaround. The state commissioned the Ikosi Waste‑to‑Energy Biodigester Plant, located within the Ketu Fruit Market, which processes 0.5 tonnes of organic waste daily, generating 30 kWh of electricity for lighting and cold storage while producing agricultural fertiliser. The plant is expected to cut carbon emissions by an estimated 9,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually. The government also sustained its ban on styrofoam and single‑use plastics, removing 137,530.94kg of PET plastics from the environment through recycling initiatives.
“The ministry intensified enforcement operations through its agencies, leading to the arrest and prosecution of environmental offenders, removal of illegal traders and squatters, and issuance of environmental abatement notices across the state,” the statement quoted Wahab as saying. The commissioner further noted that drainage maintenance covered 76 kilometres of primary channels and 178 kilometres of secondary channels, while emergency flood abatement operations spanned 210 kilometres of flood‑prone areas. Lagos also retained its position as Nigeria’s top‑performing state in climate governance for the second consecutive year, hosting the 2025 Lagos International Climate Change Summit focused on financing Africa’s coastal resilience.
The commissioner’s announcement follows a series of targeted enforcement actions. In May 2026 alone, three persons were arrested for unlawfully disposing of waste in the Ketu‑Alapere axis. Two others were arraigned before a magistrate court at Bolade Oshodi on 18 May 2026 for indiscriminate dumping of refuse and sentenced to three months imprisonment with an option of fine. The government has repeatedly warned that offenders risk fines of up to N250,000 or up to three months in jail under the Lagos State Environmental Protection Law, 2017.
The intensified enforcement is part of the THEMES Plus Agenda, which prioritises environmental sustainability and flood resilience. Critics have accused the government of being heavy‑handed, but Wahab defended the approach, arguing that “there is no alternative to strict enforcement” if the state is to achieve its goal of becoming a cleaner, healthier, and flood‑resilient megacity. Some residents have called for better public sensitisation and infrastructure, such as more pedestrian bridges and public toilets, to complement the arrests.
Despite the record‑breaking numbers, the commissioner cautioned that the campaign is far from over. “We won’t drop the ball; we will continue to ramp up our enforcement and sensitisation,” Wahab said. The government has also signed 12 new partnerships on environmental sustainability and expanded its air quality monitoring network to over 100 sensors across the state. Cleaner fish processing technology has been introduced in Makoko to reduce smoke emissions and improve public health outcomes.
As the dry season gives way to the rainy months, the ministry has intensified flood control measures, clearing primary and secondary drainage channels to mitigate flooding. Wahab appealed to Lagos residents to desist from building on drainage paths, dumping refuse in canals, and engaging in other acts that compromise the environment. He warned that the government will not hesitate to prosecute any individual or corporate entity found violating environmental laws.
The 10,634 arrests represent a significant escalation in the state’s environmental enforcement drive. With the combination of punitive measures, infrastructure upgrades, and public awareness campaigns, the Lagos State Government is positioning itself as a leader in urban environmental management in sub‑Saharan Africa. Whether the strategy will yield lasting change will depend on consistent implementation and the willingness of residents to embrace a culture of compliance.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments