Police officer held over illegal dump site in Ilorin as govt goes tough on sanitation

By George George Idowu

Kwara State Government has apprehended Inspector Adamu Usman, a police officer assigned to provide security at the General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport in Ilorin.

Inspector Usman was allegedly involved in facilitating existence of illegal dumping site near the airport where some commercial waste collectors and residents have been illegally dumping refuse in violation of state environmental laws.

Usman was apprehended following the discovery of the illegal waste dumpsite during the inspection of the site by officials of the state Ministry of Environment led by the State Commissioner for Environment, Mrs. Nafisat Musa Buge.

She revealed that the ministry had placed the waste collectors under surveillance, which led to the discovery of the illegal dump site.

“We just discovered this illegal dump site created by unidentified individuals. Many commercial waste collectors have been dumping refuse here, despite repeated warnings against such actions and the penalties for violating waste management laws,” Buge stated.

She explained that the enforcement team caught a waste collector in the act on Thursday night and traced his movements from the airport road to the illegal dump site around 11 pm.

In her words: “This location is particularly hazardous as it is adjacent to the airport and the Aviation College. It does not meet the criteria for a proper dump site.

“We have an approved dump site at Oko Olowo Expressway, Sokoto Aiyekale, but this illegal site poses a danger to the airport and nearby environment.

The Commissioner emphasized that the Ministry remains committed to curbing indiscriminate dumping, noting that 124 offenders have been prosecuted so far, with eight individuals receiving jail sentences for illegal dumping and scavenging.

“We are determined to continue enforcing environmental standards until people stop dumping refuse indiscriminately,” Buge stated, highlighting the dangers associated with such practices.

She noted significant improvements in waste management since the Ministry began its enforcement efforts, with about 70% compliance achieved within a few days.

“Many streets that were previously littered with debris are now much cleaner. Residents are now waiting to dispose of their waste when our vehicles come by, and they are utilizing the services of authorized commercial waste collectors,” she said.

In the meantime, Inspector Usman has since been handed over to the State Police Command in Ilorin for further investigation while the licence of the offending waste collector was revoked and fine the sum of N250,000 as deterrent.