LAWMA Issues Stern Warning on Officer Attacks

The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has issued a firm directive to residents, cautioning against any form of aggression toward its enforcement team during routine sanitation operations statewide.​ This comes amid growing reports of threats and physical confrontations faced by officers upholding waste rules, which LAWMA labels as a grave threat to sanitation efforts and community well-being.

Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, LAWMA’s Managing Director and CEO, emphasized that these personnel are vital for public health protection and regulatory adherence in maintaining Lagos’ cleanliness.​ He warned that perpetrators will face severe legal repercussions, citing backing from the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law 2017, with arrests and court actions promised for disruptors.

In a recent escalation, LAWMA announced plans to prosecute three assailants who violently targeted officers and Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) personnel at Agboju on Old Lagos Road, signaling zero tolerance for such interference.​ Gbadegesin called for resident support through proper waste practices and official reporting channels, avoiding vigilante responses.

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Broader Context

This alert echoes past LAWMA notices, including 2022 advisories against personnel harassment and late 2025 warnings from LAGESC (KAI) about self-defense amid assaults during anti-roadside trading drives starting January 2026. Ongoing enforcement has also tackled illegal dumping and cart pushers in areas like Ifako-Ijaiye and Lekki-Epe Expressway, underscoring LAWMA’s push for sustainable waste control.

Call for Collaboration

Gbadegesin rallied community leaders, market groups, and transport unions to champion safety and eco-responsibility, pledging LAWMA’s dedication to balanced enforcement and dialogue. “LAWMA remains resolute in its mandate to deliver a cleaner, healthier, and more liveable city for all residents,” he affirmed.