Lagos State Government Arrests 37 for Breaking Seals, Assaulting Enforcement Officers over Environmental Violations
The Lagos State Government has arrested thirty-seven individuals for allegedly breaking government seals and attacking enforcement officers following a series of environmental infractions. The arrested individuals include twenty-three males and fourteen females. The incident occurred around the Kodesoh area of Ikeja.
This was disclosed by the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday, May 29.
According to Wahab, the suspects, along with several others still at large, attacked a patrol team from the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI/LAGESC). The officers were on routine enforcement duty when they encountered resistance from the traders.
The operation began when the KAI patrol team advised street traders to vacate walkways and roadsides where they had illegally displayed their wares, and to cease the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the area. This directive was in line with the state’s ongoing efforts to ensure a clean, safe, and orderly urban environment.
However, rather than complying with the order, a group of the traders reportedly resisted. Some of them assaulted a KAI officer who was carrying out his lawful duties, and even went as far as seizing his mobile phone during the altercation.
As part of the enforcement measures, all stalls that had been erected illegally on the walkways and roadsides were sealed by the government. Despite this, the traders defied the order by forcibly removing the official seals and resuming their commercial activities.
In response to this act of defiance, the affected stalls were resealed, and enforcement officers moved in to arrest those responsible. A total of thirty-seven individuals were apprehended at the scene, while efforts are ongoing to track down others involved in the attack.
Commissioner Wahab emphasized that the arrested suspects will be prosecuted in accordance with the relevant environmental and public order laws of Lagos State.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining law and order, as well as ensuring that public spaces are used appropriately and not obstructed by illegal trading activities.
The Commissioner also warned that the state government would not tolerate any form of assault on its enforcement officers or obstruction of lawful duties, adding that environmental laws must be respected by all residents and businesses operating within the state.