The Lagos State Government has revealed that over 10,000 residents were arrested for various environmental and traffic-related offences across the state.
According to official figures, 5,715 people were arrested for crossing highways illegally, while 3,886 others were apprehended for offences such as street trading, environmental pollution, and cart pushing.
In addition, 102 individuals were arrested for open defecation, while 931 others were taken in for different waste management violations.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed the figures during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing marking the seventh year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration in the environmental sector.
He said the government remains committed to building a cleaner, healthier, and flood-resistant Lagos through stronger environmental policies, waste management partnerships, and climate sustainability efforts.
He also explained that Lagos is working toward a zero-waste economy through recycling programmes, waste-to-energy projects, and improved landfill management systems.
According to him, monthly environmental sanitation exercises have been reintroduced to encourage cleaner habits among residents, with participation from government agencies, local councils, and private organisations.
He added that enforcement operations have been intensified, leading to the arrest and prosecution of environmental offenders as well as the removal of illegal traders and squatters from various parts of the state.
The commissioner also announced the commissioning of the Ikosi Waste-to-Energy Biodigester Plant at Ketu Fruit Market, which converts organic waste into electricity, cooking gas, and fertilizer.
He noted that the facility processes 0.5 tonnes of organic waste daily and generates electricity used for lighting and cold storage, helping reduce carbon emissions.
He further said Lagos has improved landfill operations, reduced truck turnaround time, and withdrawn licences of five underperforming waste operators.
On healthcare waste, he revealed that 3,920 health facilities are registered, with thousands of kilograms of medical waste treated monthly across the state.
He added that the ban on Styrofoam and single-use plastics remains in place, with over 137,000 kilograms of PET plastics removed from the environment in the past year.
The commissioner also highlighted progress in tree planting, drainage clearing, flood control, water supply projects, and other environmental infrastructure aimed at improving sustainability and reducing flooding across Lagos.
