LAWMA arrests three for illegal waste dumping in Lagos

The Lagos Waste Management Authority has arrested three individuals for allegedly engaging in illegal waste disposal during an overnight enforcement operation carried out in the Ketu-Alapere area of Lagos State.

The development was disclosed in a statement released on Sunday by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, through his verified X handle.

According to the statement, the operation was conducted by the LAWMA Waste Infractions Surveillance and Investigation Team between May 8 and May 9, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts by the state government to curb indiscriminate waste dumping across Lagos.

The commissioner stated that the suspects were apprehended while illegally disposing of 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 read.

Wahab added that the suspects were traced to their residences during investigations aimed at identifying the reasons behind their actions and preventing further environmental violations.

According to him, findings from the investigation revealed that the affected properties lacked proper waste storage facilities and had not been registered with approved Private Sector Participant operators responsible for waste collection.

He further disclosed that all affected properties had been documented and forwarded to the LAWMA legal department for necessary legal action.

The commissioner also stated that blackspots identified during the operation were cleared as part of efforts to maintain environmental cleanliness within the area.