Lagos Government to Seal Illegal Boreholes, Prosecute Offenders

The Lagos State Government has issued a warning regarding illegal boreholes, stating that it will seal such facilities and prosecute operators who extract groundwater without the necessary permits. This directive was communicated by Barr. Oluwabukola Khadijah Adeyemo, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO).

The government aims to strengthen groundwater regulation, safeguard public health, and ensure sustainable management of water resources. LASWARCO has observed unauthorized drilling and groundwater abstraction and condemned these practices.

Adeyemo stated that enforcement actions would be taken against violators, including sealing facilities and prosecuting offenders. LASWARCO is mandated under the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017, to regulate these activities.

The government previously initiated groundwater regulation in August 2022 to manage resources and prevent pollution. A warning was also issued in August 2025 regarding potential contamination risks for residents drilling boreholes in the Lekki area.