Five individuals were arraigned on Thursday before a Magistrate’s Court in Oshodi for allegedly dumping waste into a canal along the Igando-Iba Road Link Bridge in Lagos.

The court ordered that the defendants—Quassim Jamiu and Ayo Jamiu (both from Kwara State), Alexander Innocent (Akwa Ibom), Oparinde Taiwo (Ogun State), and Moses Adelowokan (Osun State)—be remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre until the next hearing scheduled for July 9.

According to authorities, the suspects were caught in the act while attempting to discharge a large quantity of refuse into the canal using a lorry. They were arrested by operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), in collaboration with security personnel.

The arrest follows an intensified enforcement drive by the Lagos State Government to clamp down on violations of environmental laws, particularly indiscriminate waste disposal.

Lagos Government Set to Reinstate Monthly Environmental Sanitation Exercise

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance stance on illegal dumping. He stressed that the state would ensure the suspects are prosecuted to the full extent of the law to serve as a deterrent to others.

“This government will not condone actions that compromise the health of our environment and endanger public safety. Those caught flouting our sanitation laws will face the consequences,” Wahab stated.

The incident occurred just 48 hours after the government issued a strong warning to residents and businesses against illegal waste disposal.

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is grappling with internal discord following the party’s recent local government primary elections, with tensions particularly pronounced in the Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

A faction of APC leaders within the council has thrown its full support behind Abiodun Ejigbadero as the party’s chairmanship candidate. In a communiqué dated May 27, 2025, the group reaffirmed Ejigbadero’s candidacy, describing opposition to his emergence as the antics of a “disgruntled aspirant” pursuing personal interests at the party’s expense.

The communiqué, signed by Chairman E.O. Adedeji and Acting Secretary Shola Akande, stated:

“We, the leaders of the APC in Agbado/Oke-Odo LCDA, accept the emergence of Abiodun Ejigbadero as the party’s chairmanship candidate and pledge our unwavering support to ensure his victory in the upcoming election. We affirm and uphold the outcome of the primary election as the decision of our great party.”

The statement also called for unity, urging members to prioritize party cohesion and work collectively towards electoral success.

Lagos APC Stakeholders Reiterate Opposition to LCDA Chairmanship Nominee

However, a rival faction led by APC Apex Leader Olusegun Shodiya has strongly rejected Ejigbadero’s candidacy, alleging that he was imposed and had no prior involvement in party affairs. At a press conference held on Friday, Shodiya, accompanied by other party stakeholders including Olanrewaju Baruwa, Olamigoke Phillips, Funmilayo Ojelabi, and others, insisted that Ejigbadero did not win the primary and had never participated in APC activities within the LCDA.

“We have taken this principled position in the long-term interest of our party,” Shodiya said. “Accepting a candidate who lacks history or legitimacy within the APC structure would only undermine the integrity of our democratic process.”

The faction reiterated its support for the incumbent council chairman, Hon. David Famuyiwa, advocating for his re-election based on what they described as his “proven performance and loyalty to the party.”

The situation in Agbado/Oke-Odo mirrors similar post-primary unrest in other parts of Lagos, including Agege, Orile Agege, and Yaba, where several APC members have disputed the legitimacy of candidates produced through the party’s primaries.

In an interview with The Punch, APC spokesperson Seye Oladejo acknowledged the ongoing tensions and confirmed that reconciliation efforts were underway at both local and state levels.

“We’re working to resolve the disagreements and promote unity,” Oladejo said. “These kinds of disputes are not unusual in primaries. People often treat them as final elections, but we’ve always managed such issues before, and this will be no exception.”

Lagos LG Poll: Tension Mounts in Yaba APC Over Fresh Primary Demand

The Lagos State Government has announced plans to reinstate the monthly environmental sanitation exercise as part of renewed efforts to enhance cleanliness and curb indiscriminate waste disposal across the state.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made the disclosure on Sunday via his official X (formerly Twitter) account. He emphasized that sanitation must become a way of life rather than an occasional campaign, calling on residents to support the government’s vision of a cleaner, healthier Lagos.

“Let us be clear: sanitation is not seasonal—it is a lifestyle. With the resumption of monthly environmental sanitation, we are reviving the culture of cleanliness. We appreciate law-abiding Lagosians and urge everyone to rise to the challenge of building a Greater Lagos,” Wahab stated.

The announcement follows the commissioner’s inspection tour of areas with critical sanitation challenges, including Idi-Araba, Orile Iganmu, and Alaba Rago. While no specific date was given for the exercise’s resumption, Wahab confirmed that preparations are in advanced stages.

Further Measures to Improve Sanitation

The commissioner noted that enforcement efforts are being intensified, particularly in markets and areas notorious for illegal dumping. At Alaba Rago, traders were given a deadline of Monday evening to rectify all infractions or face full market closure.

Wahab underscored the need for collective responsibility in effective waste management. He urged residents to bag their waste properly, engage accredited Private Sector Participant (PSP) operators, and avoid dumping refuse on road medians and in drainage channels.

To address service delivery gaps, Wahab revealed that over 100 Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) trucks have been deployed across the state’s 377 wards. Surveillance and cleanup operations are also being scaled up in support of a cleaner, flood-free Lagos.

Background and Expectations

The Lagos State Government had previously indicated plans to reintroduce monthly sanitation. In October 2024, Wahab confirmed that advocacy and sensitization campaigns were ongoing to prepare residents. Although the exercise did not resume as initially planned, this latest development suggests the state is now better prepared for effective implementation.

Residents are expected to play a proactive role in sustaining the initiative and contributing to the government’s goal of a cleaner, healthier Lagos for all.