The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) has arrested 20 persons for open defecation in the Ojodu Berger area of the state.
State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab announced the arrest on his X account on Sunday.
“During patrol and monitoring of Ojodu – Berger yesterday (Saturday) evening and early hours of today (Sunday), operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps #LAGESCOfficial arrested 20 persons for committing environmental violations,” Wahab wrote.
Earlier this week, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment Gaji Tajudeen announced plans to begin prosecuting people who defecate in the open, particularly along the Berger Highway.
Mr Tajudeen said the implementation of the law was aimed at preventing the spread of communicable diseases like cholera in the state.
As part of its campaign against open defecation, officials from the Ministry of Environment visited the site to inform residents about the importance of proper sanitation.
Lagos leads recent cholera outbreaks
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According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), improper waste disposal and open defecation practices are jeopardizing water safety and leading to cholera outbreaks.
As of August 11, a total of 5,951 suspected cases, including 176 deaths, have been reported in 36 states.
The NCDC cholera situation report shows that Lagos State leads the infection chart with 3,758 cases, accounting for 63 percent of the total suspected cases nationwide.
After Lagos State are Bayelsa, with 481 cases; Katsina, 319; Ebonyi, 154; Abia, 130 cases; and Zamfara, 108 cases.
“Suspected cholera cases in the current year have increased by 108 percent compared to what was reported in Epi week 32 in 2023. Similarly, cumulative recorded deaths have increased by 105 percent in 2024,” the NCDC said in the report.
Cholera prevention
According to the NCDC cholera alert, people of all ages living in places with limited access to clean water are more susceptible to cholera.
He said that people living in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene, in slums where basic water and sanitation infrastructure are lacking or where hand hygiene is not practiced, are also at risk.
To reduce the risk of cholera, the NCDC advised the public to “ensure that water is boiled and stored in a clean, covered container before drinking, and to practice good personal hand hygiene by washing hands frequently with soap under clean, running water.”
“If clean water and soap are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Make sure food is thoroughly cooked before eating. Only eat raw foods, such as fruits and vegetables, after washing them thoroughly with clean water.”
He also advised against open defecation and indiscriminate dumping of garbage, urging residents to ensure proper disposal of waste and frequent cleaning of sewage.
The NCDC also recommended that healthcare workers always practice standard safety precautions, including wearing gloves when handling patients or providing care to a sick patient or family member.