LAWMA arrests Lagos resident for dumping refuse in drainage during rainfall

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has apprehended a resident of Meiran, Lagos State, for reportedly discarding refuse into a drainage channel during a rainfall. This arrest was executed by a collaborative team consisting of LAWMA Enforcement Officers, the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI), and mobile police units.

The suspect, residing at No. 13, Lanre Adefiranye Street, Baale Bus Stop, Meiran, was apprehended as a result of information provided to the enforcement team. LAWMA's Managing Director/CEO, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, announced the arrest via his official X account on Wednesday. He explained that the suspect was seized at the scene and subsequently handed over to KAI for further legal action.

As of the time of this report, Wednesday, September 9, 2026, the incident remains under investigation. LAWMA strongly urges residents to refrain from haphazard waste disposal, especially into drainage channels, as such activities lead to clogged drains and flooding. This is not the first such arrest; in July, 16 individuals were jailed for four months by the Oshodi Special Offences and Mobile Court for acts such as indiscriminate waste disposal and unauthorized dumping.

In another case from the same month, a 56-year-old man, John Ehidreme, was arrested for allegedly dumping refuse into a drainage channel at Oluoga Street, Ikorodu. The Lagos State Government has been on an enforcement spree, targeting not only individuals but also businesses and markets. In August, LAWMA blocked shops along the Tejuosho-Ojuelegba corridor for alleged waste disposal.

The state's continuous crackdown aims to discourage reckless waste disposal and ensure adherence to environmental guidelines throughout the state, particularly during the rainy season when blocked drains can exacerbate flooding risks.