Illegal waste disposal: LAWMA arrests suspect, seizes carts in Lagos

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) says it has seized waste carts and arrested one person during an early morning enforcement operation on Lagos Island, to curb illegal waste disposal.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by Director of Public Affairs of LAWMA, Mr Mukaila Sanusi on Monday in Lagos.

He said that the operation followed targeted surveillance, aimed at tackling unregulated waste movement, and preventing a return of illegal dump sites earlier cleared by the authority.

He said that LAWMA enforcement officers intercepted several waste carts at Isale-Eko during the coordinated dawn operation across key locations on Lagos Island.

According to him, an individual was arrested at about 1:31 a.m. while illegally dumping waste at Tinubu Square, Lagos Island.

He noted that early-hour monitoring remained crucial, as most illegal dumping activities were carried out during periods of low visibility.

Quoting the Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Sanusi said that sustained enforcement strengthened deterrence and protected stabilised areas from renewed environmental abuse.

‘’Surveillance and enforcement operatives are strategically deployed statewide to eliminate persistent black spots and ensure environmental sustainability, ‘’ he said.

He consequently, urged residents to use approved waste disposal channels, and support efforts to keep Lagos clean.