The Lagos State Government has declared that no resident should be arrested or harassed for moving around during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, describing such actions as unlawful and contrary to government policy.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, issued the clarification on Saturday following reports that some residents and motorists were allegedly being arrested and their vehicles impounded during the sanitation exercise.

The controversy erupted after an X user, #favourautos, shared a photograph purportedly taken at the Ikeja Police Station showing impounded vehicles and sought clarification on the penalty for movement during the sanitation period.

Responding to the inquiry, Wahab firmly dismissed claims that the state had reintroduced movement restrictions.

"For clarity, there is no restriction on movement during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise. Consequently, arresting anyone based on movement during the exercise is unlawful and does not represent the position or policy of the Lagos State Government," the commissioner stated.

He explained that although the monthly environmental sanitation exercise has been revived, its objective is to restore a culture of cleanliness and environmental responsibility across Lagos—not to restrict residents' movement.

According to Wahab, the exercise is backed by the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017, but the law contains no provision authorising a restriction on movement during sanitation hours.

He stressed that the government's approach is centred on public cooperation rather than intimidation, urging Lagosians to take ownership of keeping their surroundings clean.

"Our focus is on encouraging Lagosians to embrace environmental sanitation as a civic responsibility and a shared commitment to maintaining a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos, rather than relying on enforcement measures," he added.

The clarification is expected to reassure residents following widespread confusion over the implementation of the sanitation exercise, with the state government insisting that cleanliness should be driven by civic responsibility—not fear of arrest.