A total of twenty-four persons including cart pushers, street traders and some residents were today arrested for dumping waste on road medians and canals contrary to the Environmental Sanitation Laws of the State.

The suspects, who have been charged before the Special Offences Court sitting in Ogba, Ikeja, were arrested in an early hour operation carried out by men of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps.

Giving details on the operation, its Corps Marshal, Daniel Isiofia said the suspects were arrested following investigation which showed that cart pushers and some residents were indiscriminately dumping domestic refuse at sites not designated for waste disposal and canals.

Isiofia, a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, advised residents to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse in public places, as well as patronising cart pushers, saying such were against the law, just as he vowed that ongoing efforts to stop the menace would be sustained.

“We are going to sustain this process. I like to advise the operators of the waste carts to know that Lagos is not a place for them. They should leave Lagos or look for another job and to those who patronize them, if we get them, we will charge them to court because they are running foul of the law.

“We are appealing to the citizens to know that a clean Lagos is a healthy Lagos. It is for the benefits of all of us for our environment to be clean. Some people see us as enemies but we are not; we are only doing this job for the benefit of all.

“We are partners in progress; Lagosians should assist us. Governor Ambode too has pleaded with the people to support the bid to make Lagos clean and we are joining the Governor to appeal to people to desist from indiscriminate dumping of waste and make Lagos a very clean city,” Isiofia said.

Meanwhile, four hoodlums have been arrested for attacking LAGESC officials while performing their lawful duties.

The hoodlums carried out the attack on men of the agency on Tuesday at Brown Street area of Oshodi while on their way to enforce the ban on illegal dumping of refuse and street trading.

Two LAGESC officers — Olasilola Muyiwa John and Haastrup Ifealuwa were seriously injured while a Black Maria used as operational vehicle was badly damaged. All the suspects have since been charged to court.