...... As Ekiti Govt Cracks Down on Illegal Waste Disposal
The Ekiti State Government has intensified its crackdown on environmental pollution following the arrest of a man accused of dumping decomposing animal waste into a stream near Summit Resort in the Federal Housing Estate area of Ado-Ekiti.
The suspect, identified as Mr. Tunde Oshin, was apprehended after vigilant residents reportedly caught him discharging offensive waste, including degraded cattle blood and other animal remains, into the flowing stream. Witnesses said the incident caused a severe odour nuisance that kept many residents awake through the night.
According to reports, the suspect allegedly attempted to flee the scene after dumping the substance, but residents pursued and stopped him before alerting authorities. Police officers from the Oke-Ila Division later detained the suspect for questioning.
A joint response team comprising officials from the Ekiti State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Health and Human Services, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), and security personnel immediately visited the affected area.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the decomposing cattle blood had reportedly been stored for several weeks to generate maggots allegedly used in feeding catfish. However, residents have called for further investigations to determine the true source and safety implications of the waste.
Environmental officials subsequently carried out fumigation and decontamination exercises around the polluted stream, while samples were collected for laboratory analysis to assess the environmental and public health impact of the contamination.
Further inspections conducted by government officials, police representatives, residents, and journalists led to an abattoir along Iworoko Road in Ado-Ekiti, where workers confirmed that the suspect had purchased cattle blood in April. The workers also disclosed that several fish farmers regularly buy cattle blood for maggot production.
The development has raised fresh concerns that indiscriminate disposal of decomposing cattle blood by fish farmers may be contributing to the persistent foul odour affecting parts of Ado-Ekiti.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs. Tosin Aluko-Ajisafe, condemned the act and warned that the government would not tolerate environmental violations capable of endangering public health.
In a related development, the state government has also initiated legal action against a waste management company accused of indiscriminate sewage disposal within the Ado-Ekiti metropolis. Officials of the company have been arraigned before a Magistrate Court and granted bail, with the case adjourned until May 19, 2026.
Authorities say new regulatory measures and stricter penalties are being considered for maggot producers and cattle blood vendors across the state as part of efforts to curb environmental pollution and protect residents.
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