Lagos sanitation task force arrests five for open defecation

Officials responsible for enforcing environmental sanitation laws in Lagos State have arrested five people for defecating in public places.

The arrests happened during an early morning sanitation enforcement exercise aimed at stopping open defecation and other activities that make the environment dirty.

The operation took place around Ebute Ero and nearby areas on Lagos Island. Sanitation officials moved through the area early in the morning to monitor public spaces and ensure residents were following the state’s environmental laws.

The information about the arrests was shared by the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who posted a video of the enforcement exercise on social media.

In the post, he explained that the sanitation team was carrying out its routine patrol to prevent open defecation and other environmental offences.

According to the commissioner, five people were caught during the operation for violating sanitation regulations.

After their arrest, they were taken to the enforcement office located at Sura-Simpson, where officials will carry out further investigations.

Following the investigation, the suspects are expected to be transferred to the headquarters of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps in Oshodi. There, they will face prosecution in line with the existing environmental sanitation laws of the state.

The commissioner explained that the enforcement exercise is part of the Lagos State Government’s broader effort to improve public hygiene, protect the environment, and maintain a cleaner city for residents and visitors.

Authorities in the state have repeatedly warned people against open defecation.

The government said such actions create serious health risks, damage the environment, and reduce the overall cleanliness of public spaces.

Officials also revealed that at least 275 people have been arrested in different parts of the state for similar offences.

This is despite the fact that the government says there are about 8,710 functional public toilets available across the state for public use.

The Lagos State Government has therefore urged residents, traders, commuters, and visitors to make use of the available toilet facilities and to support efforts to keep the environment clean and safe.

According to officials, continuous enforcement operations will take place across the state to ensure compliance with sanitation laws and to discourage environmental violations.