|By Adejumo Adekunle-
-Lagos Vows Zero Tolerance for Filthy Slaughter Practices
–Government Shuts Oko-Oba Abattoir Indefinitely Over Public Health Threat
The Lagos State Government has announced the indefinite closure of the Oko-Oba Abattoir in Agege, citing gross violations of environmental laws and a complete disregard for public health standards.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made the announcement on Sunday during a live television appearance. He said the abattoir would remain sealed until operators comply fully with the state’s strict environmental and sanitary regulations.
“We made difficult but necessary decisions,” Wahab declared.
“Despite repeated engagements urging the operators to adopt cleaner, safer practices, they continued to defy regulations. Resorting to religious sentiment as blackmail is unacceptable. We will not tolerate practices that endanger the health and property of Lagosians.”
Wahab revealed that the decision followed persistent infractions, including indiscriminate waste disposal, poor hygiene, and unsafe handling of meat products. He added that complaints from residents and property owners around the abattoir had piled up for years, as they battled pollution and health risks caused by the facility’s negligence.
Appalling Conditions Uncovered
A recent inspection, he said, uncovered shocking scenes — blood and animal waste flowed freely into public drains, animals were displaced to create makeshift sleeping spaces for humans, and modern slaughtering equipment remained largely unused.
“This is Lagos, not a jungle,” Wahab said emphatically.
“We introduced global best practices, even sponsored trips abroad to show them how it’s done. Yet only 10% of the modern facilities are used — the rest continue to rely on crude and dangerous methods.”
The Ministry of Agriculture, according to Wahab, had earlier raised the alarm after observing a sharp decline in sanitary conditions, prompting a coordinated response involving multiple state agencies.
Illegal Relocations and Enforcement Actions
Following the abattoir’s closure, some operators reportedly relocated their operations to roadside slaughter points and an abandoned gas station. Wahab confirmed that enforcement teams have been dispatched to dismantle these illegal setups and apprehend violators.
In response to fears about rising meat prices, the commissioner maintained that public health must come first.
“There may be a temporary spike in meat prices, but that cannot outweigh the need to safeguard human lives and our environment,” he asserted.
Government Insists on Proper Waste Management
Wahab also disclosed that agencies such as the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), and Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LASWAMO) are working together to enforce hygiene protocols across abattoirs in the state.
He confirmed that the government had held meetings with the abattoir concessionaire, Harmony Abattoir, and the operators’ leader, Galadima, warning that waste must be treated using effluent systems, not dumped into public infrastructure.
“Until they demonstrate full compliance, Oko-Oba Abattoir will remain shut. Clean meat, clean water, and a clean Lagos are non-negotiable,” Wahab concluded.
