Lagos Shuts Oshodi Market After Attack on Sanitation Officers

The Lagos State government announced the closure of Oshodi Market on Tuesday after sanitation officers from the Lagos State Environment Sanitation Corps were attacked while enforcing environmental regulations. The attack occurred when traders allegedly obstructed officials from making arrests related to street begging and vandalism.

The assault resulted in damage to agency vehicles. Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, stated that the closure is part of renewed efforts to strengthen environmental enforcement and address public nuisance issues, including poor sanitation.

The government has recently inaugurated a special task force involving transport unions to combat illegal waste dumping. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, emphasized the need for collaboration to tackle environmental abuses.

The Lagos Waste Management Authority's Managing Director, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, highlighted the daily generation of 13,000 tons of waste in Lagos and the importance of preventing illegal dumping.