Lagos begins arrest of buyers patronising illegal roadside traders next week

The Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), will commence arrests and prosecutions against consumers of goods from illegal roadside traders starting next week. According to LAWMA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, this measure aligns with Section 151, Subsection 2 of the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law 2017 and is part of an intensified enforcement strategy to combat illegal trading, uncontrolled waste disposal, and obstruction of public infrastructure in Lagos State.

Gbadegesin clarified that enforcement will extend beyond illegal traders, as individuals who buy from these unauthorized vendors will also be held responsible under the applicable law. He emphasized that patronage of these businesses encourages traders to persist in occupying unauthorized public spaces, such as roadways, medians, walkways, setbacks, and other non-designated areas.

Gbadegesin noted that illegal roadside and median markets often generate waste that is improperly disposed of in drains, on roads, and other public areas, leading to clogged drainage channels, increased traffic congestion, and heightened health risks. The Lagos State Government has previously cautioned traders against operating on walkways and obstructing drainage systems.

In February 2025, LAWMA reiterated its warning that continuous trading on walkways damages public infrastructure and blocks drainage systems. LAWMA reiterated its commitment to consistent enforcement, stakeholder involvement, and enhanced waste collection services as crucial components of its efforts to eradicate open dumping and attain a cleaner Lagos.

In June 2025, a joint operation by LAGESC and LAWMA cleared illegal street traders from the median of Ojo-Alaba Road, arresting three individuals for obstructing enforcement. This newly announced enforcement tactic expands the state’s campaign against unauthorized trading to include buyers, with LAWMA cautioning that those who patronize unauthorized roadside markets will also face legal repercussions as stipulated by the law.