AMA arrests suspect for illegal dumping in Accra

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has arrested a 32-year-old Nigerian national, Yusif Dahiru, for allegedly engaging in unauthorised waste dumping and extorting money from members of the public at an illegal refuse site near UTC in Accra.

The Head of Public Affairs at the AMA, Gilbert Nii Ankrah, who disclosed the incident, said the suspect was apprehended at about 3:00 a.m. on Monday following a tip-off.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Mr Ankrah explained that the suspect had positioned himself at the site, receiving refuse from members of the public as though he had been officially assigned to manage waste disposal there, despite having no authorisation from the Assembly.

He said the suspect was also allegedly collecting money from residents under the pretext of providing waste disposal services and claimed to be working for a supervisor.

During interrogation, Mr Ankrah disclosed that Dahiru denied being an official waste collector but admitted that he had been assisting to drag refuse to the site in exchange for payment. He explained that the waste was transported in a small rubber container and that he was often called upon to help move it in return for money.

Mr Ankrah further stated that the suspect mentioned an Asafoatse and two other individuals whom he claimed to be working for, alleging that the Asafoatse periodically visited the site to collect proceeds generated from the illegal dumping activities. He noted that these claims had opened a new line of investigation into the possible involvement of other persons.

He said the arrest formed part of the Assembly’s ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal dumping, unauthorised waste handling and extortion, which continue to undermine sanitation management in the capital.

Mr Ankrah stressed that only individuals and companies duly authorised by the Assembly were permitted to engage in waste collection and disposal and warned that offenders would face the full rigours of the law.

He added that investigations were ongoing to verify the suspect’s claims and to identify any other persons who might be linked to the alleged illegal operation for prosecution.