Residents of the Boundary area in Ajegunle, within the Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State, are facing a worsening environmental crisis as a local canal has effectively been turned into a massive refuse site. The waterway, which runs directly behind the Alayabiagba Model Market, is now a stagnant pool of filth that emits a constant, nauseating stench affecting thousands of lives in the vicinity.
The canal serves as a primary drainage system for the market and surrounding streets, including Tolu, Goriola, Uzor 1, Uzor 2, and Fasari. However, a recent visit to the area by Reports revealed a harrowing scene of systemic neglect. For many residents who lack proper toilet facilities in their homes, the canal has become a primary point for defecation, while others have channeled sewage pipes directly into the water. This open display of human waste, combined with mountains of household plastic and debris, has created a breeding ground for disease.
A trader at Goriola Street, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, highlighted the disparity in how different parts of Lagos are treated. She noted that while highbrow areas like Ikoyi have well-constructed and covered drainage systems, their community has been left to grapple with seasonal flooding. When the rains arrive, the polluted water overflows into homes, leaving behind a trail of mosquitoes and persistent health risks. She pleaded with the government to concrete the canal and channel it properly to prevent further disasters.
Adding to the frustration, members of the Ajegunle Peoples Movement pointed out that waste collection in the area is almost non-existent. Despite paying required fees to waste management authorities, residents claim that trucks rarely visit their streets, leaving them with little choice but to dump refuse into the canal. It was also noted that the last time any official effort was made to clear the blockage was five years ago, leading many to believe that the government only remembers the community when elections are approaching.
Beyond the obvious health hazards, the area has also become a hotspot for criminal activity. One resident, Mr. Francis, shared a chilling account of being robbed twice in 2025 while heading to work in the early morning hours. He explained that the dark, overgrown sections near the canal provide easy cover for criminals who prey on workers and traders.
Efforts to get a reaction from the Local Government Chairman, Dr. Olalekan Olu Akindipe, took a disturbing turn. After initially being asked for formal documentation, a journalist was eventually granted an audience with the Chairman. However, upon being shown video evidence of the extreme pollution and filth in the area, the Chairman reportedly became enraged. Rather than addressing the concerns, he claimed the area did not fall under his jurisdiction and allegedly ordered the journalist to delete her recordings under the threat of arrest. This hostile reception has only deepened the sense of abandonment felt by a community that continues to pay taxes while living in conditions that compromise their basic human dignity.
