The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) has apprehended 20 individuals for open defecation in the Ojodu Berger area, as the state grapples with a surge in cholera cases.
Tokunbo Wahab, the state’s commissioner of Environment and Water Resources, announced the arrests on Sunday via his X (formerly Twitter) handle.
He stated, “During patrol and monitoring of Ojodu – Berger yesterday (Saturday) night and early hours of today (Sunday), operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps #LAGESCOfficial arrested 20 individuals for committing environmental infractions.”
This enforcement action follows a recent announcement by Gaji Tajudeen, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, regarding plans to prosecute those engaging in open defecation, particularly along Berger Expressway.
The initiative aims to curb the spread of communicable diseases like cholera in the state.
The arrests come amid alarming cholera statistics from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). As of August 11, Nigeria has reported 5,951 suspected cholera cases, including 176 deaths across 36 states. Lagos State leads with 3,758 cases, accounting for 63 percent of the national total.
NCDC’s cholera situation report indicates a 108 percent increase in suspected cases compared to the same period in 2023, with cumulative deaths rising by 105 percent.
The NCDC has identified improper refuse disposal and open defecation as key factors endangering water safety and contributing to cholera outbreaks.
ALSO READ: Cholera Outbreaks: Death Toll Rises in Nigeria
The agency advises the public to boil water before drinking, practice good hand hygiene, and ensure food is well-cooked before consumption.
Health workers are urged to practice standard safety precautions, including wearing gloves when handling patients or providing care.
