The State Government of the Centre of Excellence (Lagos) has ordered the immediate closure of the Oko-Oba Abattoir in Agege following a multi-agency inspection that uncovered severe environmental breaches and public health risks.
The directive was disclosed on Thursday by the Political Head (Commissioner) for the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.
Commissioner Wahab disclosed that the inspection team, comprising officials from his Ministry, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, and members of the press, found operators of the facility disposing of animal waste directly into public drainage systems and onto the premises of Forth-Walt Farm.
He revealed that the action followed a formal complaint from the Ministry of Agriculture, which prompted a probe into the facility’s waste disposal practices. Investigators discovered that blood and wastewater were being funneled into public drains rather than processed through approved treatment systems.
“no business can ignore sanitation standards or hold our environment hostage,” Wahab stated, adding that the closure would remain in effect until the abattoir installs appropriate waste management infrastructure.
According to him, to ensure compliance, a joint enforcement task force involving officials from the Environment and Agriculture ministries, as well as LASEPA, LASWMO, and LAWMA, will monitor the situation. Commissioner Wahab also emphasized that government teams would carry out unannounced visits to verify adherence to environmental regulations.
During the inspection, the commissioner also visited the Adetola Canal in the Iju area, where reinforced infrastructure had reportedly been vandalized. He urged community leaders and residents to take responsibility for safeguarding public projects, stressing that the government’s investments require collective protection.
Commissioner Wahab concluded with a direct appeal to Lagos residents: “Ensure regular payment to PSP waste operators, stop supporting informal waste collectors known as cart pushers, and report incidents of illegal dumping.”
He disclosed that 38 environmental offenders are currently being prosecuted this month, warning that deliberate acts of sabotage will be met with firm legal consequences.
