SAGAMU, Ogun State — The Chairman of Sagamu Local Government has uncovered an alleged illegal waste dumpsite at Sotubo, following persistent complaints and distress calls from residents who accused operators of transporting refuse from Lagos and disposing of it within the community without government authorization.
The chairman made the discovery during an inspection visit to the site on Sunday, July 5, 2026, after weeks of reports from residents who alerted the local government to the activities through phone calls, messages, and video evidence.
Residents alleged that trucks loaded with municipal waste had been arriving regularly to dump refuse at the location, creating what they described as an environmental and public health emergency.
During the inspection, the chairman confirmed that the site was operating as an unauthorized waste disposal facility and emphasized that neither the Sagamu Local Government nor any relevant authority had approved the location for waste management activities.
Several waste trucks were observed discharging refuse at the site during the visit. Vehicles identified at the location included LAWMA PSP 24-262, LAWMA M026.N, LAWMA M003.N, Sarobol Nigeria Ltd, LAWMA M057.N, Kunlek Venture (LAWMA PSP Operator), LAWMA M056.N, LAWMA Mid Royals Global Services, and Century Cleaners 3C Company, among several others.
Addressing journalists after the inspection, the chairman described the operation as a blatant violation of government authority and environmental regulations.
He stressed that no individual, contractor, or private company has the legal right to establish or operate a waste dumpsite anywhere within Sagamu Local Government without obtaining the appropriate government approval.
According to him, the local government neither designated nor authorized the Sotubo location for waste disposal, making the activities at the site illegal.
He further assured residents that the local government would take all lawful measures necessary to investigate those responsible and ensure that unauthorized waste disposal within the council area is brought to an end.
The chairman reiterated that environmental protection remains one of the priorities of his administration, adding that safeguarding public health and preserving the integrity of communities across the local government would continue to receive serious attention.
Residents who witnessed the inspection expressed relief over the intervention, saying they had repeatedly appealed to the authorities after enduring weeks of indiscriminate dumping.
They lamented that the continuous disposal of refuse had generated offensive odours, polluted the surrounding environment, and raised fears of disease outbreaks. They also noted that the situation had adversely affected people living in the area, pupils and staff of nearby schools, as well as motorists and other road users who ply the route daily.
Some residents expressed hope that the inspection would mark the beginning of decisive government action to permanently halt the activities and restore a healthy environment to the community.
The visit, according to the local government, underscores its commitment to enforcing environmental laws, protecting residents from environmental hazards, and ensuring that no individual or corporate organization undermines the authority of the council through unauthorized waste disposal operations.
The development is expected to trigger further investigations into the operators of the alleged illegal dumpsite and the circumstances surrounding the transportation and disposal of waste at the Sotubo location.
