Video: Lagos detains suspects, impound vehicle over illegal waste dumping

Abdullateef Fowewe

A white Ford van with Abuja registration GWA 136E was caught illegally dumping refuse along Durosimi-Etti Street in Lekki Phase 1 in the early hours of Saturday.

Video link: Lagos detains suspects, impound vehicle over illegal waste dumping

According to a statement by the state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the vehicle was traced to DONALD restaurant, a nightlife spot on Road 14 within the estate.

The suspects were apprehended on the scene by the Lekki Estate Residents Association (LERA) security and taken into custody at the LERA Secretariat after they attempted to bribe the security team with ₦100,000, which was refused.

Wahab wrote, “Following the report, the Managing Director of LAWMA deployed the Monitoring and Compliance team to the location. The team took custody of the suspects and immediately sealed the premises of DONALD restaurant for gross environmental violations, in breach of the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017.”

He added that this incident highlights a wider problem of non-compliance among commercial operators in Lekki Phase 1 who have failed to register with their assigned Private Sector Participant operators and have been implicated in repeated illegal dumping, especially during off-peak hours.

However, Wahab praised the swift response of LERA and LAWMA, stating, “The suspects will be prosecuted in accordance with the law. LAWMA remains resolute in its commitment to enforcing environmental regulations across Lagos and urges all residents and businesses to adhere strictly to proper waste management practices. A clean and livable city is everyone’s responsibility.”

This enforcement aligns with ongoing efforts by Lagos State to combat environmental abuse and illegal dumping, reinforcing the #CleanerLagos campaign.