Lagos Intensifies Crackdown on Waste Violators, Arrests Offenders in Renewed Enforcement Drive

In a renewed and aggressive push for a cleaner environment, the Lagos State Government has stepped up its enforcement against residents and businesses who violate environmental sanitation laws. The crackdown, led by the state’s Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and its agencies, has led to a series of arrests and prosecutions of offenders caught in the act.

The recent operations are a direct response to a “zero-tolerance” policy announced earlier by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab. The state has warned that individuals caught engaging in illegal dumping of refuse, littering, or burning waste face a steep penalty of a ₦250,000 fine or a three-month jail term.

In one of the latest operations, officials from the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) conducted a coordinated sweep in the Lekki area, arresting over 40 individuals on charges ranging from illegal dumping to street mischief. In a separate incident, two men were arrested for illegally burning refuse at a sealed event center, which has also been threatened with prosecution.

According to government officials, the crackdown is not just about punishment but about changing the behavior of residents who contribute to environmental degradation. Authorities have revealed that night surveillance teams are now active, as many of the offenders operate under the cover of darkness. The government has already prosecuted over 3,000 environmental offenders since the enforcement drive began, signaling its resolve to clean up the city.

The renewed effort also comes as the state gears up for its “See Something, Say Something” campaign, urging residents to report environmental defaulters to the authorities. The government’s goal is to create a sustainable and healthy environment for all residents and prevent issues such as flooding, which is often exacerbated by blocked drainage systems caused by illegal waste disposal.