The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has apprehended several cart pushers for illegally dumping refuse along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway in Ojo, as part of its ongoing efforts to tackle environmental degradation in the area.
The arrests came after LAWMA’s Waste Investigation, Surveillance, and Enforcement Team in the Ijora–Seme Division discovered an unauthorised dumpsite during a routine monitoring exercise.
In a statement on Saturday, the Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Mukaila Sanusi, said the suspects were caught red-handed while disposing of waste unlawfully.
“The arrests were made after our enforcement team discovered an unauthorised dumpsite along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway during a routine monitoring exercise,” Sanusi said. He added that the operation was led by the Head of the Ijora–Seme Division, Mr. Oladeji Adebayo.
Sanusi quoted LAWMA Managing Director, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, who warned that unregulated waste handlers continue to pose serious environmental risks and compromise the state’s waste management system.
“Waste disposal through unregulated handlers degrades the environment and undermines the structured waste management system put in place by the Lagos State Government,” Gbadegesin said.
He emphasised that domestic waste collection in Lagos is “exclusively handled by registered Private Sector Participation operators” and cautioned residents against engaging cart pushers or other unauthorised collectors.
The LAWMA boss assured that surveillance and enforcement operations would continue across identified hotspots in the state and that offenders would face legal action.
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“Those involved in illegal dumping will be arrested and prosecuted,” he stated. He further advised residents to properly bag their waste, register with approved PSP operators, and report illegal dumping through LAWMA’s official channels.
The agency also reinforced the warning on its official X account, noting: “LAWMA enforcement teams have arrested cart pushers over illegal dumping along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway, Ojo. Waste disposal through unregulated handlers is illegal.”
LAWMA added that surveillance and enforcement activities are ongoing across Lagos to curb illegal dumping largely driven by unlicensed waste handlers.