Falana Challenges Lagos Govt, Says No Law Backs Sanitation Movement Restriction

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has urged residents of Lagos State to ignore government-imposed movement restrictions during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, insisting that there is no law backing such limitations.

Falana maintained that Lagosians are legally free to go about their normal activities during the exercise, stressing that any restriction of movement remains voluntary and not enforceable under Nigerian law. His position comes amid renewed enforcement of the sanitation programme scheduled for Saturday, April 25, between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

However, the Lagos State Government has doubled down on its stance, insisting the sanitation exercise remains valid and binding. In a statement issued ahead of the exercise, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, dismissed claims that the programme had been nullified by any court ruling.

According to Wahab, the state government had secured a favourable judgment at the Court of Appeal, which affirmed that laws supporting the implementation and enforcement of environmental sanitation are constitutional. He urged residents to disregard what he described as misinformation and to fully comply by staying indoors to clean their surroundings.

READ ALSO:

• Gunmen Kill Traditional Ruler, Family, Two Others in Fresh Benue Attack
• Ex-Super Eagles Striker Dies After Collapsing During Training
• Oyedepo Sparks Debate, Tells Members to Give Kidnappers His Phone Number if Abducted

The sanitation exercise was formally reintroduced by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on March 14, when he, alongside Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat and other officials, monitored cleanup activities in Agege Motor Road, Mushin. The move marked a return to a policy that had been largely inactive for years.

Despite this, Falana argued that the reintroduction of movement restrictions contradicts constitutional provisions on freedom of movement and revives outdated, military-era practices. He emphasized that, based on information available to him, the government had not legally reinstated compulsory sanitation with enforceable restrictions.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the restriction of movement is voluntary and not compulsory,” Falana stated, adding that residents remain at liberty to conduct legitimate activities during the exercise.

He acknowledged that the government continues to encourage voluntary participation, urging residents to clean their environments and cooperate with waste management authorities, particularly the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), for proper waste collection and disposal.

Falana also pointed to the state’s significant budgetary allocation—reportedly about N236 billion in the 2026 fiscal plan—for waste management, drainage infrastructure, and environmental protection. He argued that such investments should be sufficient to drive compliance without infringing on citizens’ rights.

The disagreement highlights a broader legal and civic debate over movement restriction during sanitation in Lagos, with stakeholders divided on whether public health measures should override constitutional freedoms.

Residents across the state remain caught between official directives and legal interpretations, as the sanitation exercise continues to generate controversy over enforcement and compliance.

Falana Challenges Lagos Govt, Says No Law Backs Sanitation Movement Restriction

VIDEO: Resident Raises Alarm Over Sighting of Armed Street Boys in Lekki

A resident of Lekki has expressed concern after spotting a group of suspected street boys moving around with machetes in the area, raising fresh fears over public safety in Lagos.

The incident, which was shared online, showed the individuals allegedly carrying cutlasses while walking through parts of the Lekki axis, a development that has sparked anxiety among residents and commuters.

According to the resident, the sighting occurred in broad daylight, prompting worries about the increasing presence of armed street gangs in Lagos communities. The individual called on authorities to urgently intervene and ensure the safety of lives and property in the area.

READ ALSO:

• VIDEO: Sirbalo’s Car Damaged by Agberos in Lagos After Refusing ₦200,000
• “You’re Not Sensible” — Daddy Freeze Fires at Yul Edochie in Viral Row
• US Offers $10M Reward for Iraqi Militia Leader Linked to Attacks

The development has triggered reactions on social media, with many users expressing concern over the rising cases of youth violence, street gang activity, and insecurity in Lagos State. Some residents said such sightings have become more frequent, especially in rapidly developing urban areas.

As of the time of reporting, there has been no official statement from the Lagos State Police Command regarding the incident. However, security experts say visible patrols and rapid response measures are critical to preventing escalation.

Residents have been advised to remain vigilant, avoid confrontations, and report suspicious movements to security agencies.

The incident adds to ongoing concerns about urban safety and the need for stronger enforcement against illegal weapons possession and street violence in Lagos.

Resident Raises Alarm Over Sighting of Armed Street Boys in Lekki

Victor Moses | Black Axe | #PastorJerryEze | Wike | Michael Eneramo | Homophobic pic.twitter.com/swzLyPwaZ7

— Newstrends.Ng (@Newstrends_ng) April 24, 2026

VIDEO: Resident Raises Alarm Over Sighting of Armed Street Boys in Lekki

Boko Haram Ultimatum Expires as 404 Abducted Residents Remain Missing 

The 72-hour ultimatum reportedly issued by Boko Haram-linked insurgents to the Nigerian government over the abduction of 416 residents in Borno State has expired without any official response, heightening fears over the fate of hundreds still in captivity.

The incident is linked to the March attack on Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area, where armed fighters stormed villages and a nearby military position, abducting civilians and displacing several others in one of the latest mass kidnapping incidents in the North-East.

Security sources and local community representatives confirmed that 12 abducted residents have escaped captivity, with reports indicating that the breakthrough occurred during a military operation in the area. According to accounts from one of the freed victims, Nigerian troops launched an offensive that forced the insurgents to flee, creating confusion that allowed some captives to escape while others were moved deeper into the forest.

404 Abducted Residents

Community groups, including the Borno South Youth Alliance, confirmed that the escapees consist of 10 women and two men, who are now receiving support in a safer location. Despite this development, at least 404 abducted persons remain missing, with growing concern among families over their safety and condition.

READ ALSO:

• “You’re Not Sensible” — Daddy Freeze Fires at Yul Edochie in Viral Row
• US Offers $10M Reward for Iraqi Militia Leader Linked to Attacks
• No Nuclear Strike on Iran, Trump Reaffirms US Military Strategy

Sources say the insurgents had demanded a ₦5 billion ransom, warning that failure to comply would lead to the permanent disappearance of the captives. The group also reportedly threatened to scatter victims across multiple hideouts if any military rescue attempt was launched, complicating ongoing security operations.

While efforts continue to trace the missing persons, insecurity in the region has worsened. At least 18 farmers and firewood collectors were killed in a separate ambush on the outskirts of Gwoza, with attackers targeting civilians working on their farms ahead of the rainy season. Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume confirmed the killings, describing the attack as deeply disturbing and calling for stronger protection of rural communities. Local officials warned that additional victims may still be unaccounted for.

Troops under Operation Hadin Kai have intensified counter-terrorism operations across the North-East, killing 24 insurgents in Kukareta during a separate encounter. Military authorities said the latest operations bring the total number of insurgents killed in recent days to 54, following earlier engagements around the Lake Chad region. Recovered weapons include rifles, machine guns, rocket-propelled launchers, and ammunition, while two soldiers were injured and an armoured vehicle sustained damage.

The worsening security situation has drawn political reactions from lawmakers and public officials. Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi blamed the ongoing insecurity on governance failures, calling for urgent national measures focused solely on restoring peace. He warned that Nigeria risks deeper instability if security is not prioritised above political activities.

In Adamawa State, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri visited communities affected by a separate attack in Hong Local Government Area, where at least nine people were killed. He pledged continued government support and security reinforcement for affected communities.

At the federal level, the House of Representatives has called for the deployment of additional security personnel to Borno and Kaduna States, warning that continued attacks could escalate into a wider humanitarian crisis in the North-East.

Humanitarian organisations say repeated attacks, mass abductions, and ongoing military operations are worsening displacement and food insecurity across the region. They warn that rural communities remain highly vulnerable as farming activities are disrupted and access to affected areas remains limited due to insecurity.

Boko Haram Ultimatum Expires as 404 Abducted Residents Remain Missing