The Lagos State Government has arrested a resident of Iju Station, Ifako-Ijaiye, for illegally converting his private residence into a slaughter facility, days after the closure of the Oko-Oba Abattoir in Agege over environmental violations.
The arrest was announced on Monday by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, via his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
He also shared a video showing the suspect, who is yet to be identified, threatening neighbours in Yoruba as officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) led him away.
“…If I come back, you will accept GOD as your boss…,” the man was heard saying as he was taken into custody.
According to Wahab, the enforcement team swung into action following a report from a concerned resident about suspicious activities at No. 12 Alfred Williams Street, Iju Station.
Investigations revealed that the suspect had turned his home into an unauthorized abattoir, creating serious environmental and public health risks for the neighborhood.
“This property owner illegally converted his residence into an abattoir, endangering the entire neighbourhood through unhygienic practices and profiting from this reckless operation,” Wahab stated.
The commissioner confirmed that the suspect has been arrested and the premises sealed off, in line with the state’s zero-tolerance stance on environmental violations.
“This swift response demonstrates our zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of environmental violations, whether in designated facilities or residential areas,” he said.
Wahab urged Lagosians to remain vigilant and report illegal activities that pose threats to public health and the environment. “To all Lagosians, your vigilance makes our work possible,” he added.
The clampdown comes shortly after the Lagos State Government shut down the Oko-Oba Abattoir for failing to meet environmental and operational standards.
During an inspection last Thursday, Wahab condemned the facility’s deplorable state and criticised the operators for negligence.
Punch
