The Lagos Waste Management Authority says it apprehended 46 people during coordinated early morning operations across Lagos Island.
Managing director of LAWMA, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
He noted that the arrests were made between February 20 and 22, during routine monitoring exercises around Ebute Ero and adjoining areas, including Marina, CMS, Obalende and Adeniji Adele.
“On February 20, 20 offenders were apprehended; 15 additional suspects were arrested on February 21, while 11 more were picked up on February 22, during sustained surveillance operations targeting habitual open defecation black spots,” he said.
Mr Gbadegesin explained that enforcement is part of the Lagos government’s ongoing efforts to eliminate open defecation, safeguard public health, and maintain environmental sanitation standards across the metropolis.
He said that open defecation violates environmental regulations and poses serious health and environmental risks, particularly within densely populated commercial corridors.
The LAWMA boss urged residents and business operators to utilise approved public sanitation facilities and desist from acts capable of undermining the state’s environmental sustainability drive.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustained monitoring and enforcement, warning that offenders would continue to face arrest and prosecution in line with the law.
(NAN)