Get Guardian on GoogleThe Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has arrested 13 persons for illegal street trading in Festac and Mile 2 as part of efforts to keep public spaces clean and accessible.
The authority’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the arrests were made on Monday, October 12, 2026.
Those arrested were 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, October 13, LAWMA’s Project WISE team, working with officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) and the police, conducted a separate enforcement operation in Ikorodu to dislodge traders operating in unauthorised locations. The authority did not disclose whether any arrests were made during the operation.
Gbadegesin urged traders to use approved markets, warning that street trading on roads, walkways, medians and road setbacks obstructs public access and undermines environmental cleanliness.
He said illegal trading in public spaces could also encourage indiscriminate waste disposal and create environmental nuisances.
The LAWMA chief said the authority would continue monitoring affected areas to prevent traders from returning to unauthorised locations.
