Illegal waste dumping lands 108 residents in police custody

Authorities, including the police and the Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA), have arrested and prosecuted 108 residents for dumping waste in public areas, a practice that is both illegal and harmful to the environment.

The offenders were caught throwing garbage on roadsides, medians, and other public spaces in different parts of the city.

Earlier reports had shown piles of trash blocking major roads and clogging gutters, creating unsightly views and posing health risks.

OGWAMA enforcement officers, working together with local police, acted after several warnings and caught residents in the act.

Dumping waste in public spaces is an offense under state waste management laws, and authorities ensured the offenders faced the full consequences.

Farook Akintunde, Special Adviser to the Governor on OGWAMA, said the offenders have been prosecuted in customary courts across the city and fined to serve as a deterrent.

“Even though the government collects waste from homes, some people still dump it illegally.

We have sensitized, appealed, and encouraged residents to use authorized waste collectors, but some refuse to comply,” he said.

He warned that indiscriminate waste disposal can block drainage systems, cause flooding during the rainy season, and contaminate groundwater, putting the community’s health at risk.

Akintunde added that OGWAMA, with support from the police, will continue enforcing the law until residents understand the importance of proper waste disposal.

He urged anyone still in the habit of dumping waste illegally to stop immediately or face legal action.

The crackdown reflects a strong commitment to improving sanitation, protecting public health, and keeping the city clean and orderly.