The Lagos State Government has sealed an illegal abattoir discovered inside a residential property at No. 12 Alfred Williams Street, Iju Station, following a tip-off from a concerned resident.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, confirmed the enforcement action on Monday via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, stating that the building had been unlawfully converted into a slaughterhouse after the closure of the Oko Oba Abattoir in Agege.
“Following reports from a concerned citizen, our enforcement team has taken immediate action at No. 12 Alfred Williams Street in Iju Station,” Wahab posted. “The property owner had illegally converted his residence into an abattoir following the closure of Oko Oba Abattoir, endangering the entire neighbourhood through unhygienic practices and profiting from this reckless operation. The suspect is now in custody, and the premises have been sealed.”
He warned that such activities endanger public health, as residents in the area were exposed to severe sanitary risks due to the improper slaughtering of animals in a domestic setting.
The emergence of the illegal facility is believed to be a direct response to the recent closure of the Oko Oba Abattoir, which the government shut down indefinitely due to persistent environmental violations.
During a recent inspection, officials discovered unsanitary conditions at the Agege facility, including people sleeping inside livestock pens and the discharge of animal waste into open drains. This led to the commencement of a demolition exercise targeting illegal structures and drainage obstructions within the abattoir complex.
The clean-up operation has been spearheaded by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), under the supervision of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.
Wahab commended residents for their vigilance and encouraged the public to remain alert and report any environmental infractions. “We rely on the vigilance of Lagosians to curb activities that pose risks to public health. I urge everyone to report environmental violations through the appropriate channels,” he said.
The crackdown is part of a broader government push to enforce environmental regulations across markets, slaughterhouses, and public spaces. The state has reiterated that its efforts are geared towards long-term urban hygiene, not simply punitive measures.
Authorities have also announced plans to reinstate the monthly environmental sanitation exercise to encourage community-driven cleanliness and responsible waste management.
In addition, the state government has introduced tougher penalties for environmental offences. Individuals caught disposing of waste illegally now face fines of up to ₦250,000 or a three-month jail term. Repeat offenders may face even stricter sanctions.
