46 Arrested for Open Defecation in Lagos Operations

On February 20, 2022, the Lagos State Government's anti-open defecation squad apprehended 46 individuals, both male and female, for engaging in open defecation. The arrests occurred during a routine monitoring exercise in areas such as Ebutero, Marina, Obalende, and Adeniji Adele.

Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), disclosed that the operation continued with additional arrests on February 21 and February 22, bringing the total to 15 and 11 suspects respectively. The apprehended individuals were transferred to the Lagos State Environment Sanitation Corps headquarters in Oshodi for further investigation and prosecution.

This enforcement exercise is part of the Lagos State Government's ongoing efforts to eliminate open defecation, which poses serious health and environmental risks, particularly in densely populated commercial corridors. Gbadegesin urged residents and business operators to utilize approved public sanitation facilities to avoid undermining the state's environmental sustainability initiatives.