Lagos Government Clarifies ‘Controlled Movement’ for April 25 Exercise; Deploys Enforcement Teams and Warns Defaulters of Prosecution Under 2017 Law

The Lagos State Government has issued a final clarification on the modalities for the reintroduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise, which is set to commence this Saturday, April 25, 2026. Following weeks of public debate regarding the legality of movement restrictions, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, confirmed on Wednesday that the state will implement a “controlled movement” strategy during the designated hours of 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

The state government emphasized that while the era of the mandatory three-hour “lockdown” has evolved, the two-hour sanitation window is a period of civic obligation. Residents are expected to stay within their immediate vicinities to ensure the thorough cleaning of their surroundings and the clearing of secondary drainage channels in front of their homes. “The goal is to build a culture of cleanliness, not just to arrest people,” Wahab stated. However, he was quick to warn that “controlled movement” does not mean a license for non-compliance, as enforcement teams will be actively patrolling all five divisions of the state.

To ensure the exercise is more than just a symbolic gesture, the state has mobilized a massive enforcement apparatus. Officials from the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) brigade will conduct physical inspections. Defaulters who fail to participate or who are found disposing of waste indiscriminately will face immediate sanctions in accordance with the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017.

Logistical support has also been scaled up to prevent the accumulation of refuse on the streets. The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has confirmed that special intervention trucks and compactors will be on standby to evacuate all bagged waste produced during the exercise. Furthermore, the administration has introduced a competitive element to the initiative, promising official recognition and rewards for the cleanest Local Government Area (LGA), Local Council Development Area (LCDA), and street.

As the state prepares for this first exercise since 2016, the government is framing the resumption as a critical step toward flood prevention and public health. With the rainy season intensifying, authorities are betting that this collective two-hour effort will significantly reduce the blockage of major drainage systems. For the millions of residents in the center of excellence, the message from Alausa is clear: Saturday morning is for cleaning, and the state’s enforcement machinery will be watching.