13 arrested over illegal street trading in Lagos
Lagos Waste Management Authority Arrests 13 for Unlawful Street Trading
LAGOS — The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has arrested 13 individuals for allegedly engaging in street trading at unauthorized locations across the state. The enforcement actions took place in areas including Festac, Mile 2, and Ikorodu.
The arrests were confirmed in a statement released on Tuesday by LAWMA’s Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Mukaila Sanusi. According to the agency’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, the operations were carried out on October 12 and 13, 2026.
Gbadegesin emphasized the importance of maintaining clean and accessible public spaces, stating that roads, walkways, medians, and road setbacks should not be obstructed by unauthorized trading activities. He urged traders to limit their business activities to designated markets.
The individuals arrested during the operation in Festac and Mile 2 have been identified as Joy Opeyemi, Abigail Manga, Chinasa Eze, Saika Taira, AbdulRasheed Elinu, Charles Nwango, Mustapha Abubakar, Aliyu Garba, Kazinu Umar, Moses Idara, Ahmed Yinusa, Yusuf Usman, and Amaka Chukunju.
On Tuesday, LAWMA’s Project WISE team, in collaboration with officials from the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) initiative and police officers, conducted another enforcement operation in Ikorodu. This team targeted traders operating in unauthorized areas, resulting in further apprehensions.
Gbadegesin stated that the purpose of these operations is to restore order, enforce environmental regulations, and prevent the obstruction of public spaces. He noted that LAWMA will continue to monitor the affected areas to discourage traders from returning to prohibited locations.
The LAWMA chief executive remarked that street trading in unauthorized areas contributes to issues such as illegal dumping, blocked access, and environmental disorder, which hinder efforts to maintain a clean and livable environment. He reiterated the call for traders and residents to use approved markets to conduct their business.
