Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nasarawa State Government has ordered the immediate closure of the popular Lafia Tomato Market over what it described as alarming poor sanitation and grave public health concerns. The government also impounded 37 tricycles for operating during the designated monthly sanitation hours, in a sweeping enforcement action that signals a renewed crackdown on environmental violations across the state.
The Commissioner for Environment, Solid Minerals and Mining, Margaret Elayo, announced the closures on Saturday, August 29, 2026, while monitoring the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Lafia, the state capital. According to the commissioner, Governor Abdullahi Sule had approved the thorough cleaning of the market multiple times, but the traders' disregard for hygiene had reached an intolerable level.
Elayo, who led the enforcement team, expressed deep displeasure over the traders' attitude, stating that the market had been repeatedly warned to clean up its environment. "We have observed heaps of refuse, poor drainage, and unhygienic handling of perishable goods in this market. This poses a serious health risk to residents, and the government cannot fold its arms and allow a disease outbreak caused by the attitude of the traders," she said.
The commissioner added that the market would remain closed for two days, Saturday and Sunday, until the traders and the market association carry out a comprehensive sanitation exercise that meets the ministry’s hygiene standards. The ministry will conduct a re-inspection exercise on Monday to see if the cleaning complies with environmental standards before the market is reopened.
In a parallel enforcement action, the government impounded 37 tricycles in Lafia for operating within the hours scheduled for the monthly sanitation exercise. The impounded tricycles would remain in government custody for two days. The commissioner stated that the ministry would conduct a compulsory sensitisation exercise for the tricycle owners on Monday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. before releasing the vehicles back to them.
Elayo appealed to members of the public to always keep their environments clean to guard against the possible outbreak of diseases. "If the environment is kept clean, it will guard against a possible outbreak of any disease, thereby ensuring improved healthy living of the people," she added. The last Saturday of every month is set aside for a sanitation exercise in Nasarawa State, and the government has been intensifying enforcement of its environmental laws, with tricycle operators often identified as among the most frequent offenders.
The closure of the Lafia Tomato Market is the latest in a series of sanitation-driven shutdowns in the state. The government had previously ordered the closure of the Lafia Modern Market over similar poor sanitary conditions. As the state continues to grapple with waste management challenges, the government's latest action sends a clear message that environmental violations will no longer be tolerated.
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