Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, is facing severe backlash after he posted a video showcasing environmental officers physically assaulting suspected offenders.
The video, shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account, has sparked outrage, with critics accusing the officers of breaching the United Nations Treaty Against Torture, which Nigeria is bound to uphold, as well as the country’s Anti-Torture Act of 2017.
The footage depicts personnel from the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), alongside the Lagos Neighborhood Watch and Environmental Health Officers, brutally attacking suspects during a raid in Obalende.
Although Wahab intended to highlight efforts to combat environmental violations, the officers’ conduct has drawn sharp condemnation.
In the video, Wahab noted, “Several miscreants were arrested while the agency successfully secured the conviction of 12 individuals involved in commercial sex work,” but attention has shifted to the excessive force used during the arrests....Read Full Article [Click Here>]
Prominent lawyer Ridwan Oke pointed out specific instances of brutality, emphasizing that one officer “was seen slapping and beating up suspects” without provocation.
Oke urged Wahab to investigate the incident and improve training protocols, warning that unchecked power could lead to further abuses.
The video has also reignited memories of the #EndSARS protests against police brutality, raising concerns about the commitment to human rights standards in Nigeria. The Lagos State government has not yet commented on the incident.
