An enforcement exercise by Lagos environmental officials on Wednesday turned violent after suspected hoodlums attacked members of the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO) and the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC/KAI) in Victoria Island.
The officers were said to be carrying out a joint operation at Yakoyo Abula Restaurants, located at 134 Sinari Daranijo Street, over alleged illegal discharge of untreated wastewater, fats and oils.
The fracas broke out after the team discovered that the restaurant had allegedly tampered with a government seal earlier placed on the premises.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, condemned the attack, noting that the assault was triggered by attempts to obstruct officials from performing their lawful duties.
“The Yakoyo restaurant not only broke the government’s seal but also unleashed armed thugs on officials performing their duties. This crosses every line,” Wahab stated in a post on X.
He cautioned that the state government would respond decisively to any form of violence against its personnel.
“Any individual or business that assaults, obstructs, or threatens government officers on duty will face decisive action. Affected premises will be sealed, and perpetrators will be prosecuted,” he said.
Reaffirming the state’s stance on law and order, the Commissioner added:
“We will not allow lawlessness to take root in Lagos.
No one is above the law, and attempts to intimidate government officials will be met with firm and immediate consequences.”
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Following the incident, the restaurant’s supervisor was arrested and the premises sealed.
Officials said further arrests would be made as investigations progress.
