Environmental sanitation officials in Lagos State have arrested five individuals during an early morning enforcement operation aimed at tackling open defecation and other environmental violations on Lagos Island.
The development was disclosed by the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, in a video shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday.
According to the commissioner, the enforcement team carried out the operation around the Ebute Ero Market area and nearby locations on the island as part of ongoing efforts to improve sanitation and maintain environmental standards.
Wahab explained that five individuals were caught violating sanitation regulations during the exercise.
He said the suspects were taken to the enforcement office located at Sura-Simpson for preliminary investigation. Afterward, they are expected to be transferred to the headquarters of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps in Oshodi, where they will face prosecution in line with existing environmental laws.
The commissioner noted that the operation forms part of the state government’s broader campaign to eliminate open defecation and other environmental nuisances across Lagos.
Authorities have repeatedly warned residents and visitors to avoid such practices, stressing that adequate sanitation facilities are available.
Reports indicate that the state government has already arrested no fewer than 275 residents across different parts of Lagos for defecating in public spaces, despite the presence of about 8,710 functional public toilets across the state.
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