No Restriction on Movement During Sanitation Exercise – Wahab

The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has clarified that there is no restriction on movement during the state's monthly environmental sanitation exercise, stressing that any arrest made solely on that basis is unlawful and does not reflect government policy.

Wahab made the clarification in response to a social media user who alleged that someone had been arrested during the sanitation exercise and asked about the penalty for moving around. The commissioner stated that the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017, which provides the legal framework for the exercise, does not authorise movement restrictions during the monthly sanitation programme.

According to him, the monthly sanitation exercise was reintroduced to promote a culture of environmental cleanliness and encourage residents to take responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean. He emphasized that the initiative is aimed at improving hygiene and environmental sustainability, not restricting people's movement.

The clarification comes amid public concerns over reports of arrests during the exercise. Wahab urged law enforcement officers and residents to adhere to the government's official guidelines, reiterating that participation in the sanitation programme should be carried out without violating citizens' rights.