Lawma's sanitation crews clear multiple blackspots across Ajah, Lekki, Gbagada corridors

… As Lawma Arrests Scavengers Sorting Recyclables Along Ahmadu Bello Way

Babajide Fadoju

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has arrested scavengers caught sorting recyclables and waste along Ahmadu Bello Way, as the Authority intensifies its clampdown on environmental offenders across the State. The arrests were made during routine monitoring operations, following intelligence reports of illegal waste handling activities along the busy corridor, which poses significant environmental and public health risks.

The enforcement action is part of the Authority’s broader strategy to address all forms of environmental infractions, including the activities of miscreants who engage in the indiscriminate sorting and burning of waste in public spaces. The burning of waste, in particular, releases toxic fumes that endanger public health and contribute to air pollution, while the sorting of recyclables in undesignated areas creates unsightly heaps and environmental hazards.

In a separate overnight operation, the Waste Investigation, Surveillance and Enforcement Team apprehended defaulters dumping waste in unauthorised locations along the Oworonsoki Expressway, Gbagada axis, constituting environmental nuisance despite several warnings and undermining the efforts of assigned PSP operators. The following individuals were arrested and are to be taken to the Oshodi Task Force Office for prosecution at the mobile court in line with the environmental protection law of Lagos State:

Jeremiah Godwin, 21, of No. 8 Oremeji Street, Bariga; trader; Ebonyi State.
Timothy Chiemeze, 20, of No. 4 Sokoya, Oworonsoki; trader; Enugu State.
Fatai Akanni, 45, of Kwara State; security guard at YTK Filling Station.
Kehinde Adesanya, 50, of Ogun State; driver.
All four defaulters were apprehended at Gbagada on July 5, 2026, and are currently being processed for prosecution.

Meanwhile, LAWMA’s sanitation crews have continued evacuation efforts across multiple corridors, clearing several environmental blackspots. In the Ajah and Lekki corridor, Gbara spot 1, Ologolo, and Jakande were all cleared, while Underbridge Gbagada Expressway was fully restored. VGC market and Beggar Bus Stop were cleared, while Maruwa traffic light and Car Wash bus stop were also evacuated. The Car Wash pedestrian bridge and Face 1 bus stop along Lekki-Epe Expressway were also cleared, bringing relief to residents and commuters along the corridor.