The Lagos Waste Management Authority has condemned the attack on its enforcement officers by suspected illegal waste operators during an environmental monitoring operation along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

The managing director of LAWMA, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, condemned the incident in a statement issued Monday in Lagos by the agency’s director of public affairs, Mukaila Sanusi.

Mr Gbadegesin described the attack as unacceptable and warned against attempts to obstruct the agency’s lawful activities.

According to him, the incident occurred on Sunday at Mazamaza Bus Stop, shortly after FESTAC First Gate, during a routine environmental monitoring and compliance exercise.

He said LAWMA operatives encountered individuals engaged in illegal waste disposal activities while carrying out their statutory duties.

“The enforcement team was attacked by suspected illegal waste operators and cart pushers who attempted to obstruct the exercise. Our enforcement officers were carrying out their statutory responsibilities when they were attacked by individuals seeking to frustrate government efforts,” he said.

Mr Gbadegesin described the attack as a direct affront to government efforts to safeguard public health and maintain environmental sanitation. He said such actions would not deter the agency from discharging its mandate of maintaining a clean and healthy environment.

The managing director noted that assaults on enforcement personnel constituted a serious offence under the law. He warned that anyone found to have participated in the attack or obstructed lawful government operations would face prosecution.

Mr Gbadegesin added that efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend everyone connected with the incident. He said that despite the attack, the enforcement team continued its monitoring operation along the corridor, covering Iyana Iba, Okokomaiko, and Agbara.

According to him, the exercise is part of ongoing efforts to curb indiscriminate waste disposal and promote compliance with environmental regulations.

Mr Gbadegesin said the activities of illegal cart pushers and operators of unauthorised dumpsites remained a major challenge to effective waste management in the state. He added that such activities also posed significant risks to environmental sanitation and public health.

The LAWMA boss urged residents and businesses to patronise only approved waste service providers and dispose of waste through authorised channels. He stressed that maintaining a clean and sustainable environment required collective responsibility.

Mr Gbadegesin called on residents to support government efforts by complying with environmental laws and reporting illegal waste disposal activities. He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to sustaining enforcement operations statewide and warned that offenders would continue to face sanctions.

(NAN)