The Lagos Waste Management Authority has intensified its crackdown on illegal waste disposal with the seizure of several waste carts and the arrest of a suspect during an early morning enforcement operation on Lagos Island.
The operation followed targeted surveillance activities aimed at curbing unauthorised waste disposal and preventing the return of illegal dump sites in areas previously cleared by the agency. The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Public Affairs at LAWMA, Mukaila Sanusi.
According to the statement, LAWMA enforcement officers intercepted the waste carts at dawn in the Isale Eko area as part of a coordinated effort to disrupt unregulated waste movement across the locality. The agency noted that such early hour operations are critical, as many illegal dumping activities are deliberately carried out during periods of low visibility.
In a related incident during the same operation, a 42 year old man identified as Muritala Suleiman from Zamfara State was apprehended at about 1:31 a.m. while allegedly dumping waste illegally at Tinubu Square, Lagos Island. The suspect was arrested on the spot as part of LAWMA’s zero tolerance approach to environmental violations.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the authority’s sustained enforcement actions are designed to serve as a strong deterrent and to protect areas that have already been stabilised from renewed abuse. He explained that Waste Investigation, Surveillance and Enforcement operatives are strategically deployed across the state to eliminate persistent waste black spots and ensure environmental sustainability along major corridors.
LAWMA also urged residents and businesses to comply strictly with approved waste disposal channels and to support the government’s efforts to keep public spaces clean and safe.
The authority reiterated its mandate as the statutory agency responsible for managing solid waste and environmental sanitation in Lagos State, noting that effective waste management remains critical in addressing challenges posed by rapid urbanisation, population growth, and increased economic activities.
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