Food Vendor Allegedly Caught Dumping Waste Into Floodwater in Lagos

A food vendor has reportedly been caught dumping waste into floodwater on Powerline Street in Ejigbo, Lagos State, sparking renewed concerns over the role of residents and businesses in worsening flooding across the state.

The incident was brought to public attention by an X user, Opeyemi Marcus, who shared the footage and criticised the practice of indiscriminate waste disposal.

According to Marcus, the incident occurred while floodwater was present on the street, with the food vendor allegedly disposing of waste directly into the water.

Reacting to the footage, Marcus argued that responsibility for flooding should not always be placed entirely on government authorities, stressing that residents also have a role to play in keeping drainage channels and public spaces free of refuse.

“Not everything is the government,” he wrote, adding that people often blame the government when flooding occurs despite contributing to the problem by blocking drainage systems and dumping waste indiscriminately.

His comments come amid increased enforcement by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) against improper waste disposal.

On Thursday, LAWMA confirmed the arrest of a resident of Meiran, Lagos, who was allegedly caught dumping refuse into a drainage channel during rainfall. The operation involved LAWMA enforcement officers, the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI) and mobile police officers.

LAWMA has warned that indiscriminate dumping can obstruct the free flow of stormwater and contribute to flooding, particularly during heavy rainfall. The agency has also intensified surveillance and enforcement against people who use roads, drains and other unauthorised locations as refuse disposal points.

The development has renewed calls for greater public responsibility alongside government efforts to tackle flooding and environmental pollution. Authorities have repeatedly urged residents to properly dispose of waste and avoid turning drainage channels into refuse dumps.

While government agencies remain responsible for drainage infrastructure, waste management and flood-control measures, environmental campaigners and residents continue to stress that individual actions—including indiscriminate dumping—can undermine those efforts.

The specific identity of the food vendor and any official action arising from the Ejigbo incident had not been independently confirmed at the time of publication.