At 5:47 a.m., a Nigerian woman was taken into custody at a Lagos State bus stop for trying to unlawfully dispose of trash.
The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) Managing Director, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, reported the incident on X (formerly Twitter) using his official handle, @muyiwag.
In his statement, Gbadegesin wrote: “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 regulations against indiscriminate dumping.”
He went on to say that before escorting the suspect to the Oshodi Environmental Taskforce Office, LAWMA agents obtained geotagged images and video proof of the crime.
There were no successful attempts to confirm Ms. Onuchkwu’s residential address.
LAWMA’s legal unit has received the case file and digital evidence for prosecution under the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law.
Many Nigerians flocked to the comment section of the post to express their thoughts on the arrest and the state’s enforcement strategy as it immediately gained online attention.
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 !”
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