LAGOS — The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has launched a manhunt for a group of suspected illegal waste operators and cart pushers following a violent attack on its enforcement personnel during an environmental monitoring exercise on Sunday.

The Incident

The confrontation took place at the Mazamaza Bus Stop, near the FESTAC First Gate along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway. According to the agency, the LAWMA enforcement team was conducting a routine operation to curb indiscriminate waste disposal when they were confronted and physically assaulted by individuals allegedly engaged in unauthorized waste management activities.

Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, the Managing Director of LAWMA, issued a stern condemnation of the incident on Monday, labeling the assault a "direct affront" to the state’s efforts to maintain public health and environmental sanitation.

Zero Tolerance for Obstruction

In a statement released by the agency's Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Mukaila Sanusi, Dr. Gbadegesin warned that the agency would not be intimidated by those attempting to subvert environmental laws.

"Our enforcement officers were carrying out their statutory responsibilities when they were attacked by individuals seeking to frustrate government efforts," Gbadegesin stated. "Assaults on enforcement personnel constitute a serious criminal offence. We are working to identify and apprehend all those involved, and they will face the full weight of the law."

Despite the violence, the agency confirmed that the enforcement team remained on-site, continuing its monitoring operations across key corridors, including Iyana Iba, Okokomaiko, and Agbara.

The Ongoing Battle Against Illegal Dumping

The incident underscores the persistent challenge posed by unauthorized cart pushers and illegal dumpsites in Lagos. LAWMA officials have long maintained that these unregulated operations are a primary cause of blocked drainage systems and significant public health risks in the state.

As the agency intensifies its enforcement, LAWMA is urging residents and businesses to:

  • Patronize Only Approved Operators: Use only state-authorized Private Sector Participant (PSP) waste service providers.

  • Support Compliance: Report illegal dumping and unauthorized waste disposal activities to the authorities.

  • Adhere to Regulations: Follow authorized disposal channels to avoid sanctions.

LAWMA has reaffirmed its commitment to cleaning the state’s corridors, warning that it will continue to aggressively pursue and prosecute any individual or group that obstructs its mandate to ensure a clean, healthy Lagos.