LAWMA Arrests Three Suspects in Crackdown on Illegal Waste Dumping in Lagos

|By Adejumo Adekunle

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has arrested three individuals for allegedly dumping refuse illegally during an overnight enforcement operation in the Ketu-Alapere area of Lagos State.

The operation, carried out by the LAWMA Waste Infractions Surveillance and Investigation Team between May 8 and May 9, formed part of the state government’s intensified campaign against indiscriminate waste disposal across Lagos.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed the arrests in a statement posted on his verified X handle on Sunday.

According to the commissioner, the suspects were caught dumping refuse at unauthorised locations within the Ketu-Alapere axis.

“As part of ongoing efforts to eliminate illegal waste dumping within the state, the LAWMA Waste Infractions Surveillance and Investigation Team conducted an overnight surveillance operation from May 8 to 9, 2026, in the Ketu-Alapere axis,” the statement said.

Wahab stated that investigators later traced the suspects to their residences to determine the reasons behind the environmental violations and prevent a recurrence.

He added that preliminary findings revealed that the affected properties lacked proper waste storage facilities and were not registered with approved Private Sector Participant operators responsible for waste collection.

According to him, the identified properties have now been documented and forwarded to the LAWMA legal department for further action.

The commissioner also disclosed that waste blackspots uncovered during the operation were immediately cleared to maintain environmental sanitation in the area.