The Lagos State Government has intensified its environmental enforcement campaign, announcing the arrest of 10,634 environmental offenders across the state within the last one year as authorities push to restore sanitation, reduce pollution, and maintain order in Nigeria’s commercial capital. The disclosure was made by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa.
According to the commissioner, the arrests were part of a broader strategy by the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration to build a cleaner, healthier, flood resilient, and environmentally sustainable megacity. Wahab revealed that 5,715 persons were arrested for illegal highway crossing, while another 3,886 individuals were apprehended for offences including street trading, cart pushing, and environmental pollution. He further disclosed that 102 persons were arrested for open defecation, while 931 others were picked up for waste management related offences.
The commissioner stated that the government had intensified enforcement operations through agencies under the Ministry of Environment, leading to the prosecution of offenders, removal of illegal traders and squatters, and the issuance of environmental abatement notices in several parts of the state. He noted that the crackdown was necessary to tackle persistent sanitation challenges threatening public health and urban development in Lagos. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Wahab also highlighted the state’s renewed monthly environmental sanitation exercise, which the government says has recorded massive participation from residents, local councils, and private organisations. He maintained that the sanitation programme remains fully legal and constitutional despite criticisms and misinformation circulating online.
Beyond arrests and enforcement, the commissioner explained that Lagos was investing heavily in waste recycling and sustainable environmental initiatives. He disclosed that the state commissioned the Ikosi Waste-to-Energy Biodigester Plant located within Ketu Fruit Market, a project designed to convert organic waste into electricity, cooking gas, and agricultural fertiliser. According to him, the facility processes 0.5 tonnes of waste daily and generates electricity for lighting and cold storage while reducing carbon emissions.
The state government also reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing bans on Styrofoam and certain single use plastics, revealing that over 137,000 kilograms of PET plastics had already been removed from the environment through recycling and recovery programmes. Authorities say the measures are part of a long term plan to transition Lagos into a zero waste economy.
In recent months, Lagos environmental agencies have stepped up actions against environmental violations, sealing facilities accused of indiscriminate sewage disposal and prosecuting residents caught engaging in open defecation and illegal dumping of refuse. Officials insist that stronger enforcement and behavioural change are necessary to protect public spaces and improve living conditions across the state.
The latest figures underline the scale of Lagos’ sanitation challenge as authorities continue to battle pollution, flooding, waste disposal problems, and rapid urban expansion in Africa’s most populous city.
