The Lagos State Government on Monday arrested 24 persons and sealed the premises of a company that was constructing a building on a wetland at Mosafejo, Mowo, Badagry.

According to a statement by the Director, Media and Publicity, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Kunle Adeshina, the company refused to comply with several stop work notices issued to it.

The statement reads partly, “The raid by security agents and officials from the department of Conservation and Ecology followed the non-compliance of the company with several stop work notices served on them. The company premises was sealed and the arrested 24 persons were handed over to security agents and will be arraigned after due investigation.”

The statement further explained that the company failed to present required approved documents, adding that the encroachment was a violation of environmental protection law.

“Without obtaining the wetland clearance approval, the Environmental Impact Assessment and Drainage Clearance approval, the activities at the site are in contravention of the Environmental Management and Protection Law of Lagos State 2017 and the National Environmental Impact Assessment Cap E12 LFN 2004,” the statement added.