Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Lagos State Government has arrested 12 environmental offenders across Lagos Island, Yaba and Ikorodu as the Lagos Waste Management Authority and the Kick Against Indiscipline Corps stepped up enforcement against illegal waste disposal and other environmental violations across the state. The arrests, which were carried out on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, followed separate surveillance operations that targeted indiscriminate waste dumping, illegal scavenging and other infractions that have continued to degrade the environment and threaten public health in Africa's most populous city. The Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, confirmed the development in a statement, revealing that the agency's Project WISE Enforcement Team apprehended 10 suspects during operations in parts of Lagos Island and one suspect around the Yabatech area of Yaba. In a separate operation, KAI Corps officers arrested a school security guard in Ikorodu after a concerned citizen recorded him emptying waste into a drainage channel outside the school where he worked.
The suspects arrested across the three locations include Onasanya Josphine, who was apprehended in Yaba, as well as God's Power, Lucky Osaigie, Goodness John, Rasheed Abass, Yaya Cidi, Abubakar Amosu, Monday Lawal, Sanni A. Sanni, Opere Badmus and Usman Nasir, all of whom were picked up during the Lagos Island operations. The 12th suspect, Mr. John Ehidreme, a 56-year-old school security guard, was arrested in Ikorodu after a viral video captured him dumping refuse into a drainage channel at No. 18 Oluoga Street, Ikorodu. Dr. Gbadegesin said all the suspects had been taken into custody and would face prosecution under Lagos State environmental laws, which provide for sanctions against individuals and organisations found guilty of environmental violations.
The LAWMA boss commended the public-spirited citizen whose timely intervention led to the arrest of the Ikorodu suspect, describing the action as a demonstration of the civic responsibility needed to achieve a cleaner and more sustainable Lagos. "We commend the public-spirited citizen whose timely intervention made this enforcement action possible. Environmental protection is a shared responsibility, and we encourage residents to emulate this example by reporting environmental offenders through the appropriate government channels. Together, we can build a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Lagos," Gbadegesin said. He further condemned the indiscriminate dumping of waste in drainage channels, road medians, sidewalks and other unauthorised locations, warning that such practices obstruct drainage systems, increase flood risks, degrade the environment and pose serious threats to public health. The latest arrests form part of the Lagos State Government's ongoing enforcement campaign to eliminate indiscriminate waste disposal, strengthen compliance with environmental regulations and protect residents from the health hazards associated with poor waste management.
Dr. Gbadegesin urged residents, businesses and institutions to patronise only their assigned Private Sector Participants for waste collection, comply with approved waste management practices and report environmental violations through official government channels. He reaffirmed the state government's commitment to maintaining a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable environment through sustained enforcement, community participation and strategic collaboration among relevant agencies. The arrests come amid growing public concern over the state of environmental sanitation in Lagos, where flooding during the rainy season has been exacerbated by the blockage of drainage channels with refuse and other waste materials. The Lagos State Government has repeatedly warned that it will not tolerate environmental violations and that offenders will be met with the full weight of the law. With the commencement of the rainy season, the government has intensified enforcement operations to ensure that drainage channels remain free of obstructions and that residents comply with waste disposal regulations.
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