In Lagos State, a Nigerian woman named Ms. Amaka Onuchkwu was arrested at 5:47 a.m. on June 3, 2025, for illegally dumping refuse at the Akesan bus stop along LASU-Iba Road.
The incident was made public by Muyiwa Gbadegesin, the Managing Director of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), through his verified account on X (formerly Twitter).
According to Gbadegesin, the arrest was carried out by LAWMA’s Waste Infractions Surveillance and Investigation Team, who had been monitoring the area. The team reportedly captured geo-tagged photos and video footage as evidence before taking the suspect to the Oshodi Environmental Taskforce Office.
Efforts to verify her place of residence were reportedly unsuccessful, and the matter has since been forwarded to LAWMA’s legal unit for prosecution in accordance with the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law.
The announcement of the arrest sparked widespread attention online. Social media users weighed in on the incident, with many applauding the enforcement of environmental laws, while others raised concerns about broader issues such as waste management infrastructure and public awareness of proper disposal practices.
The development highlights Lagos State’s zero-tolerance policy on environmental infractions and its push to curb indiscriminate waste dumping across the metropolis.
WATCH VIDEO:
At approximately 5:47 a.m. on Tuesday, 3 June 2025, @Lawma_gov Waste Infractions Surveillance and Investigation Team apprehended Ms Amaka Onuchkwu while she was illegally off-loading refuse at the Akesan bus stop on LASU-Iba Road. This action violates Lagos State environmental… pic.twitter.com/IgvPhqAtxQ
— Muyiwa Gbadegesin, PhD (@muyiwag) June 3, 2025
See some reactions below:
@lagosboy5050: “This one now will be among people saying Lagos is smelling.”
@aderemiofficial: “And na dem dey Yan opata say Lagos is smelling, so na dem self they spoil the Lagos. Please make her a scapegoat, no peace for the wicked.”
@ICEMANKIZZY: “When she wakes she will say the place smells, when you bring people from a cave this is what you get.”
@luphemtech: “My question is why the lagos state waste management no longer function?imagine calling on the waste management officer why they have not come to aboru pipeline since January and he replied “that your area don comot for our list” in a sane environment does it sound well?”
@ougwuja: “I don’t understand so these people disposing waste on the street are not having waste bin in their houses?”
@Honyfactor25461: “You guys are funny 🤣 the waste trucks don’t show up , there are no waste bins strategically located in various spots in the area , but you are quick to arrest poor individual who go through the pain of bagging their refuse and trekking distances to dispose , shame on you !”