Lagos Sanitation Exercise Returns: Key Things Residents Should Know

The Lagos State Government has reintroduced its monthly environmental sanitation exercise, with the first statewide enforcement scheduled for Saturday, April 25, 2026, as part of renewed efforts to improve cleanliness and tackle waste management challenges across the state.

The programme is a return of the monthly sanitation exercise in Lagos, which had been suspended since 2016, and will now be held every last Saturday of the month between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

When the Sanitation Exercise Will Hold

According to the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the exercise will take place monthly, with a fixed time window from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. during which residents are expected to remain indoors and clean their surroundings.

The government says the designated period is meant to allow households, businesses, and communities to carry out proper cleaning of homes, streets, drainages, and public spaces.

Movement Restrictions During the Exercise

A key feature of the exercise is the enforcement of controlled movement across Lagos during the sanitation hours. Authorities say movement will be restricted, except for essential services such as emergency medical care, security operations, and critical duties.

The state government insists that compliance with the Lagos environmental sanitation law is compulsory and will be strictly monitored across all local government areas.

Agencies Involved in Enforcement

Several government agencies will jointly enforce compliance during the exercise. They include the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), and local government environmental inspectors.

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These teams will carry out inspections before, during, and after the exercise to ensure residents comply with sanitation directives.

Officials warned that defaulters risk sanctions under the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017, which may include fines or other penalties.

Waste Collection and Clean-Up Support

To support the exercise, LAWMA will deploy intervention trucks across the state to collect bagged waste generated during cleaning activities. This is to ensure that waste is properly disposed of and does not return to the environment after the exercise.

The government also introduced a reward system to encourage participation, with awards planned for the cleanest Local Government Area, Local Council Development Area, and cleanest street.

Why the Exercise Has Been Reintroduced

The sanitation exercise was reintroduced following concerns over rising cases of indiscriminate waste disposal in Lagos, blocked drainage systems, and recurring flooding in several parts of the state.

Officials say the programme is part of broader efforts to improve public health, reduce environmental pollution, and promote sustainable urban living in Africa’s largest city.

The exercise was last held before it was suspended in November 2016 due to legal restrictions on statewide movement during sanitation hours.

What Residents Are Expected to Do

Residents are expected to clean their homes, surroundings, and drainage channels during the exercise period. The government has urged full participation, stressing that environmental cleanliness is a shared responsibility.

Authorities also appealed to Lagosians to cooperate with enforcement officers and avoid actions that could lead to penalties.

“We urge all residents to take ownership of this exercise and support efforts to build a cleaner, safer and more sustainable Lagos,” Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab said.

Lagos Sanitation Exercise Returns: Key Things Residents Should Know

Troops Kill Two Gunmen in Plateau Ambush, Recover Weapons 

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have intensified security operations in Plateau State, killing two suspected armed men during a coordinated ambush in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area following credible intelligence on criminal movements.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Joint Task Force Media Information Officer, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, confirmed that the operation took place at about 7:49 pm on Tuesday near Doruwa Babuje in the Marit general area—one of the flashpoints of recurring attacks in the state.

According to the military, troops acted on intelligence reports indicating the movement of gunmen allegedly responsible for recent attacks on local communities. The soldiers laid an ambush and engaged the suspects upon sighting them.

“In the ensuing firefight, two armed gunmen were neutralised, while several others fled into the surrounding bushes under the cover of darkness,” the statement said.

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A search of the area led to the recovery of weapons and other items, including a locally fabricated rifle, five rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition, a cutlass, a jackknife, and a mobile phone. The recovered items are expected to aid ongoing intelligence efforts to track down fleeing suspects and dismantle criminal networks.

Troops have since maintained a strong presence across the Marit and Lajam axis, conducting patrols and surveillance operations to prevent further attacks and ensure the safety of residents.

Operation Enduring Peace, involving personnel of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, continues to play a key role in tackling insecurity in Plateau State, where communities have faced persistent threats from armed groups, bandits, and communal clashes.

Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, as the military reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and restoring peace across affected areas.

The latest operation highlights ongoing military operations in Nigeria aimed at curbing violent crime, restoring order, and strengthening security in volatile regions.

Troops Kill Two Gunmen in Plateau Ambush, Recover Weapons

Kimberly Daniels Accuses Nigeria’s Matawalle of Alleged Bribery Attempt

A United States lawmaker, Kimberly Daniels, has accused Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, of allegedly attempting to influence a US official with money in a bid to counter findings contained in a controversial international security report.

Daniels, a Democrat representing Florida’s District 14 and chairperson of the United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD), made the allegation in a video posted on her verified Facebook page, which has since circulated widely across social media platforms.

Allegation linked to UN-WCD report on Nigeria security

Daniels said the alleged inducement was connected to a report issued by the UN-WCD, which raised concerns about insecurity in Nigeria and alleged attacks on Christian communities in parts of the country.

She claimed the report, which called for greater scrutiny of Nigeria’s security leadership, triggered attempts to influence public perception and counter its findings in the United States.

The report reportedly referenced violent incidents in states such as Plateau, Benue, and Kaduna, and questioned the effectiveness of Nigeria’s security response in addressing ongoing attacks.

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Claims of financial inducement to US official

In the viral video, Daniels alleged that a US elected official was approached with a financial offer to publicly oppose the report and defend Nigeria’s defence establishment.

“A US elected official was offered money by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to change the narrative of the UN-WCD Christian genocide in Nigeria report,” she said.

She did not provide documentary proof in her public statement but insisted that she had seen communications and materials she described as evidence of a coordinated effort, including drafted statements and promotional content.

Alleged pressure campaign after report release

Daniels further alleged that following the release of the UN-WCD report, she faced pressure from individuals she linked to Nigerian authorities. She claimed these actions were aimed at discrediting her findings and influencing US political discourse.

She also alleged that an unnamed American legislator was encouraged to publicly challenge her position and support Nigeria’s defence leadership, describing the alleged move as an attempt to divide US lawmakers.

Calls for review of Nigeria’s defence leadership

The US lawmaker had previously urged President Bola Tinubu to consider the removal of Matawalle, citing concerns raised in the UN-WCD report regarding insecurity in several Nigerian states.

She said her position was based on findings related to attacks in parts of northern and central Nigeria and called for stronger accountability within Nigeria’s security structure.

Nigerian government response awaited

As of the time of filing this report, Bello Matawalle has not publicly responded to the allegations. There has also been no independent verification of the claims made by Daniels, and the Nigerian government has not issued an official statement on the matter.

Broader security and diplomatic implications

The allegations come amid ongoing international debate over Nigeria’s security challenges, particularly reports of violence in rural communities and concerns about insurgency and armed attacks.

While Nigerian authorities maintain that security forces are actively addressing threats across the country, the latest claims have added a diplomatic dimension to the broader conversation on Nigeria security situation and international perceptions.

Analysts say such allegations, if unproven, risk heightening diplomatic sensitivity between Nigeria and international stakeholders, especially regarding narratives on human rights and internal security.

For now, the controversy remains unresolved, pending responses from Nigerian officials and further clarification from involved parties.

Kimberly Daniels Accuses Nigeria’s Matawalle of Alleged Bribery Attempt