Lagos Sanitation Crackdown: 46 Arrested for Open Defecation in Massive Island Operation

 

​The Lagos State Government has intensified its war against environmental degradation, following the arrest of 46 individuals for open defecation during a coordinated early morning operation on Lagos Island. Carried out by the state's Anti-Open Defecation Squad between February 20 and 22, 2026, the exercise targeted notorious "blackspots" in high-traffic commercial hubs. This latest move by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) underscores the administration's zero-tolerance policy towards acts that threaten public health and deface the megacity’s aesthetic.

​Inside the "Early Morning" Enforcement Operations

​The enforcement exercise, led by LAWMA's Managing Director, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, was a result of sustained surveillance and routine monitoring. The operation focused on critical areas that serve as major gateways for commerce and transit on the Island.

​According to official reports, the arrests were broken down as follows:

• ​February 20: 20 offenders apprehended.
• ​February 21: 15 additional suspects arrested.
• ​February 22: 11 more picked up during follow-up surveillance.

​The targeted locations included prominent areas such as Ebute Ero, Apongbon, Isale Eko, Marina, CMS, Obalende, and Adeniji Adele. These areas are known for their high population density and heavy commercial activity, making them primary targets for sanitation monitoring to prevent the outbreak of waterborne diseases.

​Legal Consequences and Public Health Risks

​Following their apprehension, all 46 suspects were transferred to the LAGESC Headquarters in Oshodi for further investigation and prosecution. Under the environmental laws of Lagos State, offenders face fines or imprisonment, a move the government insists is necessary to serve as a deterrent.

​Dr. Gbadegesin reiterated that open defecation is not just a nuisance but a severe public health hazard. In a city of over 20 million people, such acts can lead to:

1. ​Water Contamination: Runoff from human waste easily enters drainage systems and groundwater.
2. ​Disease Outbreaks: Increased risk of Cholera, Typhoid, and other diarrheal diseases.
3. ​Environmental Degradation: The stench and sight of open waste undermine the state’s drive for tourism and sustainable urban development.

​The Infrastructure Question: Public Toilets in Lagos

​While the government continues its clampdown, critics often point to the lack of accessible facilities as a root cause. In response, the Lagos State Government has previously announced plans to construct thousands of public toilets across the metropolis to ensure that residents and commuters have viable alternatives.

​However, authorities maintain that even where facilities are available, some individuals choose to ignore them. LAWMA is urging residents and business owners to make use of approved public sanitation facilities and desist from acts that sabotage the state’s environmental sustainability efforts.

​Moving Forward: A Cleaner, Healthier Lagos

​The 2026 crackdown is part of a broader "Clean Lagos" initiative aimed at achieving a sustainable and healthy environment. As the state continues its surveillance, the message is clear: Public indecency and environmental infractions will not be tolerated.

​Residents are encouraged to report habitual offenders and participate in community cleaning exercises to support the government's vision of a world-class megacity.