Over 200 illegal dredgers face Lagos wrath as Government clamps down

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Lagos State Government has launched a no-nonsense crackdown on illegal dredging activities in Ikorodu, sealing off multiple sites and making arrests in a bold move to combat environmental degradation.

Over 200 operators were slapped with immediate stop-work orders, with authorities vowing severe consequences for violators.

Leading the enforcement, Ekundayo Alebiosu, Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, stormed the sites with his team, shutting down all dredging operations in the area.

Operators were warned in clear terms—defy the government’s directive, and their sites would be permanently shut down.

“Illegal dredging is a major contributor to environmental issues in Lagos State, such as erosion and flooding,” Alebiosu declared.

He stressed that dredging must be carried out in strict compliance with existing laws to protect critical infrastructure, roads, and wetlands from irreversible damage.

Determined to enforce global best practices, the Lagos State Government is moving to overhaul dredging operations entirely.

Alebiosu urged legitimate miners to organize themselves into a formal association to help tackle illegal dredging head-on.

During the raid, officials from the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development (MWID) uncovered shocking violations of Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) standards.

The unchecked dredging activities have not only ravaged the ecosystem but also left local roads in shambles due to relentless heavy truck movement.

In a decisive response, the government has ordered all illegal operators to halt their activities immediately and report to the Commissioner’s office for further directives.

The government said it remained steadfast in its commitment to protecting the state’s fragile ecosystem and ensuring that all mining and dredging operations adhere strictly to the law.