By Erewunmi Peace

The Lagos State Environmental Task Force has arrested 26 individuals allegedly involved in extorting cart pushers engaged in illegal waste disposal activities in the Orile area of the state.

The arrests were made during an enforcement operation carried out at the Orile Under Bridge, a location reportedly known for unauthorized refuse dumping.

According to the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, the suspects were accused of collecting money from cart pushers in exchange for allowing them to dump waste illegally at the site.

The commissioner disclosed that some of the arrested individuals admitted to participating in the extortion scheme. He reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining environmental sanity across the state and warned that such illegal activities would not be tolerated.

During the operation, authorities also dismantled makeshift structures believed to have been used to facilitate the illegal activities.

The Lagos State Government has continued its crackdown on environmental violations as part of efforts to promote a cleaner and healthier city.

Investigations are ongoing, and the suspects are expected to face prosecution in accordance with the law.