The Lagos State Government has arrested a woman for allegedly instructing her child to dump refuse into a covered drainage channel, warning that parents and guardians who encourage environmental violations will be prosecuted.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed the arrest in a statement shared on his official X account on Monday, saying the suspect, identified as Mrs McCarthy, was apprehended following an investigation by enforcement officers.
According to the commissioner, the woman, who resides at No. 56 Adaranijo Street, Pedro, Shomolu, allegedly directed her child to dispose of refuse into a covered drainage channel in violation of the state’s environmental laws.
Wahab said the arrest followed a report received from residents, prompting enforcement officers to immediately investigate the allegation.
“Earlier today, we received a report that a woman identified as Mrs McCarthy, of No. 56 Adaranijo Street, Pedro, Shomolu, allegedly encouraged her child to dispose of refuse into a covered drainage channel.
“Following the report, our enforcement officers promptly carried out an investigation, which led to her arrest for violating the State’s environmental laws,” he said.
The commissioner said the incident highlights the need for parents and guardians to instil responsible environmental habits in their children rather than encouraging practices that obstruct drainage channels and increase the risk of flooding.
“We expect every resident to act responsibly and to educate their children on the importance of protecting public infrastructure, particularly drainage systems.
“Encouraging acts that contribute to blocked drains and environmental degradation is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” Wahab stated.
He stressed that maintaining a clean, safe and flood-resilient environment requires the active participation of all residents.
“A clean, safe, and flood-resilient environment is a shared responsibility. We urge all residents to dispose of waste properly and support the collective effort to keep Lagos clean,” he added.
Wahab also disclosed that the state government has intensified enforcement activities along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway as part of efforts to restore environmental order across the corridor.
According to him, enforcement teams have, over the past three weeks, carried out extensive clearance of shanties, illegal structures and other environmental nuisances along the route.
“Over the past three weeks, our enforcement team has intensified the clearance of shanties, illegal structures, and other environmental nuisances along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
“This exercise will be followed by sustained surveillance and continuous monitoring to ensure that environmental order is restored and maintained along the corridor,” he said.
The commissioner warned residents against converting public spaces into illegal markets or using them for unauthorised private activities, stressing that anyone found encroaching on public property or engaging in unlawful activities would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the laws of Lagos State.
The latest enforcement action forms part of the Lagos State Government’s broader campaign to improve environmental sanitation and reduce flooding, particularly during the rainy season. Authorities have repeatedly warned that indiscriminate waste disposal and the obstruction of drainage channels remain major contributors to flooding in many parts of the state.
