Oyo arrests, penalises 175 over environmental offences

STEPHEN GBADAMOSI, IBADAN

The Oyo State government, through the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, has arrested and penalised 175 environmental offenders across the state in September of 2026, as part of its continued efforts to enforce environmental laws and promote a clean, healthy and productive environment.

The state Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Honourable Ademola Aderinto, said the enforcement activities were not aimed at witch-hunting or unnecessarily penalising residents, but at instilling sanity and ensuring environmental compliance, which he noted was necessary for the economic growth of the state and the maintenance of a credible image for Oyo State in Nigeria.

Aderinto stressed that the key driver of waste management in the state remained the principle that waste ought to be collected from the source where it is generated.

He urged residents to promptly report any licensed waste collector who failed to discharge his or her responsibility to the ministry, assuring that such reports would be investigated and appropriate action taken.

The commissioner further warned waste collectors against non-compliance, noting that the Ministry had, within the last six weeks, repeatedly read riot Act to them to adhere to the terms of their engagement.

He, therefore, called for the cooperation of residents, waste collectors and other stakeholders in sustaining environmental sanity across Oyo State, stressing that a healthy and productive environment remained essential to the state’s economic development and overall wellbeing of its people.

Also, the populace was urged to continue to use all channels, including the state’s Whistleblower Channel (OYO SSS), and help the government in strengthening environmental enforcement, and get rewarded.