13 arrested over illegal street trading in Lagos

Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, has arrested 13 individuals for allegedly participating in street trading at unauthorised places throughout the state, together with Festac, Mile 2 and Ikorodu.

The arrests have been disclosed in a press release issued on Tuesday by LAWMA’s Director of Public Affairs, Mukaila Sanusi, PhD.

The Managing Director and Chief (*13*) Officer of the company, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, mentioned the arrests adopted enforcement operations carried out on the places between Monday, October 12, and Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

Gbadegesin careworn that roads, walkways, medians, highway setbacks and different public areas should stay clear and accessible, warning merchants in opposition to utilizing such areas for actions that intervene with their meant functions. He urged them to conduct their companies solely in designated and accepted markets.

Those arrested throughout Monday’s operations in Festac and Mile 2 have been recognized 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 workforce, working alongside officers of Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI, and law enforcement officials, carried out one other enforcement train in Ikorodu.

The operation focused merchants working markets in unauthorised places and led to the apprehension of offenders.

The LAWMA chief government mentioned the train was meant to revive order, implement environmental laws and forestall the obstruction of public areas. He added that the company would proceed monitoring the affected areas to forestall merchants from returning to the prohibited places.

Gbadegesin famous that street trading in unauthorised areas contributed to illegal dumping, blocked entry, dysfunction and different environmental nuisances, thereby undermining efforts to take care of a clear and habitable setting.

“Public roads and walkways must remain clear and accessible. We will sustain enforcement against unauthorised trading. We urge traders and residents to use approved markets,” he mentioned.