“Sometimes, We Pack Dead Babies Wrapped in Polythene Bags, Ritual Items Dumped on the Road” — LAWMA Sweepers Lament Harassment, Abuse, Horrors at Work
Street sweepers employed by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) have raised serious concerns over persistent harassment, unsafe working conditions, and emotional trauma, including being forced to pack dead babies dumped on Lagos roads while on duty.
The sweepers shared their experiences during a recent episode of The Morayo Show, where they spoke about daily abuse, intimidation, and health risks they face despite providing essential sanitation services across the state.
One of the sweepers, Fatimo Akinduro, revealed that workers often encounter disturbing scenes during routine cleaning exercises, especially at road junctions and highways.
Sometimes, we pack dead babies wrapped in polythene bags, dead goats, and ritual items dumped on the road. We wear gloves and carry them inside our sacks. If it is a full corpse, we call our supervisors or the emergency 112 line,” she said.
Other sweepers described frequent harassment from motorists who park indiscriminately on major roads, obstructing their work and verbally abusing them. Kafilat, a sweeper, said many drivers insult them and order them to move to other locations.
Residents were also accused of dumping refuse on already-cleared roads after LAWMA trucks had evacuated waste. Olatitoye Adeola said those confronted often respond with threats and insults.
“They ask us if the road belongs to our father and threaten to beat us,” she said.
Another sweeper, Taiwo Ologunro, blamed roadside traders and affluent residents for repeatedly dirtying cleaned areas, noting that some motorists even throw refuse from moving vehicles at sweepers.
“When we finish sweeping, they dirty the place again. Some throw waste from their cars at us and say we are being paid for it,” she said.
She also raised concerns about widespread open defecation on highways and inner roads, adding that sweepers frequently pack human waste with their hands.
“We pack faeces daily. The smell is terrible, and it affects our health,” she said.
Victoria Bamgbose said hoodlums deliberately scatter refuse and break bottles on roads, forcing sweepers to redo their work under close supervision.
On welfare, Kehinde Ajibade said sweepers face discrimination at hospitals, recounting how she was verbally abused while seeking treatment in her uniform.
“They shouted at me and treated me badly. I was advised not to wear my uniform to hospitals because of discrimination,” she said.
Several sweepers also complained about frequent road accidents and delays in emergency response, warning that injured colleagues often struggle to get help in time.
Responding, LAWMA Managing Director, Muyiwa Gbadegeshin, acknowledged the challenges and said the Lagos State Government had approved health insurance coverage for all 16,000 sweepers.
He added that enforcement against indiscriminate dumping had been intensified, disclosing that about 1,000 offenders were arrested last year, with 447 prosecuted.
Gbadegeshin urged residents to show empathy and respect for street sweepers, stressing that their work is critical to public health and environmental safety.
”We Pack Dead Babies Wrapped in Polythene Bags, Ritual Items Dumped on the Road” — LAWMA Sweepers Lament Harassment, Abuse, Horrors at Work
Byadmin
Jan 24, 2026