Lagos government arrests 931 people, seals 239 facilities for environmental violations

The Lagos State Government has arrested 931 people for waste management violations in the state.

The State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this at the 2026 Ministerial Press Conference held in Alausa, Ikeja, on Monday, saying the ministry’s enforcement teams inspected 2,251 sites, issued 1,711 infringement notices and sealed 239 facilities as part of intensive environmental monitoring, enforcement and compliance operations across the state last year.

He said the ministry’s Enforcement and Compliance Monitoring (MEC) was strengthened during the review period to ensure stricter compliance with environmental laws and sanitation standards across Lagos.

Wahab said: “Through the agency’s monitoring and enforcement efforts, 931 people were arrested for waste management violations, 2,251 sites were inspected, 1,711 violation notices were issued, and 239 sites were closed.”

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He added that the team also evacuated more than 650 tons of construction waste during a public awareness campaign regarding construction, demolition and disaster waste management.

“The agency evacuated 650+ tons of construction waste and maintains awareness of construction, demolition and disaster waste through stakeholder engagement in collaboration with waste handling solutions.

“Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) successfully completed 114 Air Quality Sensor installations and rehabilitation of air pollution abatement facilities across the state.

“In addition, cleaner fish processing technology was introduced in Ago Egun, Makoko through the implementation of improved fish kilns, which has helped reduce smoke emissions, improve air quality and protect the health of local fish processors,” the commissioner said.