Buying From Roadside Traders Could Now Land You in Court - Lagos Warns Families

For many households across Lagos, stopping by the roadside to grab a quick meal, buy clothes, or pick up household items has long been part of daily life.

But that convenience is about to come with a serious risk, as the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has warned that buyers, not just traders, will now face arrest and prosecution.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, announced the new enforcement policy yesterday at the authority's headquarters, making clear that from next week, patronising traders in unauthorised spaces will carry real legal consequences for buyers as well.

"From next week, anyone found buying from traders operating on roadsides, medians, walkways, setbacks or other unauthorised spaces will be arrested, alongside the traders, and prosecuted in accordance with the law," Gbadegesin said.

According to him, the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law 2017 does not stop at penalising traders, but also holds buyers accountable for purchasing goods displayed in prohibited locations.

Those convicted under Section 151(2) of the law could face a fine of N90,000, six months' imprisonment, or both.

Gbadegesin explained that the decision was driven by the environmental and public-safety problems that roadside markets bring into residential communities, often leaving refuse in drains, on roads and other public spaces.

He said such activities block drainage channels, worsen traffic congestion, and expose families to public health risks.

For LAWMA, the goal is to break a cycle that has proven difficult to end through enforcement alone.

"Our objective is to stop the cycle that allows illegal trading and indiscriminate waste disposal to return after enforcement operations. Traders occupy public spaces because people continue to patronise them. Buyers must understand that their actions sustain the problem and that they are also accountable under the law," he said.

The LAWMA boss added that the authority was working to strengthen waste collection in inner streets and communities around areas where illegal dumping had previously been cleared, and that identified service gaps would be addressed.

However, he warned that deliberate dumping, redumping and continued patronage of illegal markets would still attract sanctions.

Gbadegesin urged residents and businesses to patronise recognised markets and use approved waste collection channels, stressing that convenience should not be allowed to undermine public health, road safety and the orderly use of the city's shared spaces.