The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has come under fire after sharing a video on social media showing environmental officers physically assaulting suspected offenders during a raid in Obalende. The officers, part of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) and other environmental agencies, were seen using excessive force on individuals who appeared not to resist arrest.
The video has sparked widespread outrage, with critics citing violations of Nigeria’s Anti-Torture Act of 2017 and international human rights standards, including the United Nations Treaty Against Torture. Prominent Lagos lawyer, Ridwan Oke, specifically pointed out the excessive force used by officers, calling for an investigation into the matter and urging reforms in training to prevent such abuses.
The incident has reignited memories of the #EndSARS movement, where protests in 2020 called for an end to police brutality across the country. Despite Nigeria's commitment to international human rights treaties, cases of law enforcement abuse remain prevalent, raising concerns about the state government’s efforts to curb such practices.
As of now, the Lagos State government has yet to respond to the backlash, and the fate of the officers involved remains uncertain.