Six individuals have been arrested and fined ₦30,000 each for illegal dumping of waste on the road median in Ibadan. The arrest took place in the early hours of Monday during a joint enforcement operation carried out by the Environmental Response Rapid Squad (ERRS) and Environmental Health Officers from the Oyo State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.
The offenders were arraigned before a mobile court presided over by Justice Wasiu, who found them guilty of violating the Oyo State Environmental Sanitation and Waste Management Regulation, 2013, which prohibits the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in unauthorized locations across the state.
In his ruling, Justice Wasiu condemned the actions of the offenders, noting that such behaviour contributes to flooding, environmental pollution, and the spread of diseases. He urged members of the public to always make use of designated waste collection points and cooperate with the government’s waste management agencies.
Speaking after the court proceedings, officials of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources used the opportunity to sensitize residents of Oyo State on the need to embrace proper waste disposal habits. They emphasized that maintaining a clean environment is a collective responsibility and that the government remains committed to enforcing environmental laws to protect public health and ensure a sustainable environment.
The Ministry further warned that similar operations will continue across the state, especially in areas notorious for illegal dumping, until full compliance is achieved.
