The Lagos State Government has sealed the popular Oko-Oba abattoir in Agege and says it will remain closed until operators meet basic health and environmental standards.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this known on Sunday during an interview with ARISE NEWS. He said the abattoir was shut down after repeated warnings were ignored and officials found serious environmental and public health risks at the site.
“What we saw is unacceptable,” Wahab said. “People were sleeping and defecating in animal pens, blood and waste were everywhere, and slaughter waste was being dumped into public drains.”
Wahab said the situation was so bad that the Ministry of Agriculture had to involve the Ministry of Environment to step in. He confirmed that traders had abandoned approved slaughter facilities and returned to unsafe manual practices, despite government investment in mechanised systems.
He also revealed that the government had to deploy Operation MESA, a joint military task force, to control resistance from the traders. According to him, the abattoir will stay shut until the operators stop polluting public drains, use the waste treatment systems provided, and commit to proper hygiene and safety practices.
“This closure is just the first step. More penalties could follow,” Wahab said.
The commissioner dismissed claims that cultural or religious reasons should excuse poor environmental practices. “There’s no excuse for environmental abuse,” he said.
Wahab also warned that practices like this contribute to wider problems in Lagos, including the city’s frequent flooding. He explained that blocked drains, illegal buildings on wetlands, and waste dumped in gutters worsen the impact of climate change and heavy rains in the city.
“We are a coastal city below sea level. We need our drains to work. People must stop building on drainage paths,” he said.
He also noted that the government has already removed over 1,100 illegal structures blocking flood channels, planted 20,000 trees, and banned styrofoam packaging due to health and environmental risks. Starting from July 1, 2025, single-use plastics will also be banned in Lagos.
“These are tough but necessary steps,” Wahab said. “We’re doing it for the safety and future of Lagosians. Everyone must take responsibility for the environment.”
