The Lagos State Government has clarified that residents are free to move during the state’s monthly environmental sanitation exercise, stressing that there is no policy authorising security agencies or enforcement officers to arrest people solely for being on the road during the exercise.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, issued the clarification on Saturday in response to a complaint on X after a user alleged that someone had been arrested and taken to the Ikeja Police Station during the sanitation exercise.
Responding to the inquiry, Wahab stated unequivocally that any arrest carried out on the basis of movement during the sanitation period is unlawful and does not reflect the policy of the Lagos State Government.
“For clarity, there is no restriction on movement during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise. Consequently, arresting anyone on the basis of movement during the exercise is unlawful and does not represent the position or policy of the Lagos State Government,” the commissioner said.
The clarification comes amid lingering public confusion over the reintroduced sanitation programme, with some residents believing the monthly exercise automatically comes with restrictions similar to those enforced years ago.
According to Wahab, although the state recently revived the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, the initiative is intended to promote environmental responsibility rather than restrict residents’ movement.
He explained that the programme derives its legal backing from the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017, but noted that the legislation contains no provision imposing movement restrictions during the exercise.
“The monthly environmental sanitation exercise was reintroduced primarily to restore and strengthen the culture of environmental cleanliness across the state. The initiative is backed by the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017. However, the law does not provide for any restriction on movement during the exercise,” he said.
The commissioner added that the government’s priority is to encourage voluntary compliance by residents instead of relying on punitive enforcement measures.
“Our focus is on encouraging Lagosians to embrace environmental sanitation as a civic responsibility and a shared commitment to maintaining a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos, rather than relying on enforcement measures,” he added.
Environmental sanitation exercises were once a regular feature across many Nigerian states, with restrictions on movement often enforced during designated hours. However, Lagos discontinued compulsory movement restrictions years ago, replacing them with broader environmental management initiatives and community participation campaigns.
The latest clarification is expected to address misconceptions surrounding the exercise and reassure residents that they can go about lawful activities without fear of arrest simply because they are outside during sanitation hours.
The state government has repeatedly urged residents to participate actively in keeping their surroundings clean by properly disposing of waste, clearing drainage channels where appropriate, and complying with environmental regulations aimed at preventing flooding and improving public health.
Officials say the renewed sanitation campaign forms part of broader efforts to strengthen environmental sustainability, improve waste management and foster a cleaner Lagos through public cooperation rather than coercion.
