The Lagos State Waste Management Authority has recovered a number of refuse-carrying carts and detained a suspect during a dawn operation on Lagos Island after intelligence reports pointed to ongoing unlawful dumping of waste in the area.
This was made known in a Wednesday announcement signed by the agency’s Head of Public Affairs, Mukaila Sanusi. He stated that enforcement teams carried out the exercise in the early hours of the day to halt illegal refuse transportation and stop previously cleared spots from being turned back into dumping locations.
The authority further encouraged members of the public to make use of officially approved waste collection systems and cooperate with initiatives aimed at maintaining a cleaner environment.
Information from the release showed that the carts were recovered in the Isale-Eko axis, while a 42-year-old suspect, Muritala Suleiman, who hails from Zamfara State, was apprehended at about 1:31 a.m. for disposing of waste unlawfully at Tinubu Square on Lagos Island. LAWMA explained that surveillance conducted late at night and at daybreak is vital because such violations often occur when monitoring is minimal.
Speaking on the development, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said regular enforcement operations help discourage offenders and preserve areas that have already been restored. He added that Waste Investigation, Surveillance and Enforcement personnel have been stationed in key locations across the state to address recurring illegal dump sites and maintain cleanliness along major roads and public corridors.
LAWMA is the government institution tasked with overseeing refuse management and sanitation matters throughout Lagos State. It was created to tackle increasing waste challenges linked to rapid urban expansion, population growth, and intensified economic activity.
Its responsibilities include ensuring a hygienic and sustainable environment through organised refuse collection, movement, processing, recycling, and safe final disposal. Over time, the agency has shifted from directly handling waste evacuation to working through partnerships with private operators to improve efficiency and extend services across households, business premises, and industrial zones.
