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

Head of Public Affairs at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Gilbert Nii Ankrah, who disclosed the incident, said the suspect was arrested at about 3:00 am on Monday following a tip-off.

Mr Ankrah explained that the suspect was stationed at the site, receiving refuse from members of the public as though he had been officially assigned to manage waste disposal there, although he had no authorisation from the Assembly to do so.

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

Mr Ankrah disclosed that during interrogation, Dahiru denied being an official waste collector but admitted that he had been helping to drag refuse to the site in exchange for money.

He said the suspect explained that the refuse was moved in a small rubber container and that he was usually called upon to assist with dragging it in return for the money he received.

Mr Ankrah stated that suspect also mentioned an Asafoatse and two other individuals whom he claimed to be working for, adding that Dahiru alleged the Asafoatse usually came to the site to collect the money realised after waste had been dumped there.

He said those claims had opened another line of investigation into the possible involvement of other persons in the unauthorised waste dumping.

Mr. Ankrah noted that the arrest was part of the Assembly’s ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal dumping, unauthorised waste handling, and extortion, all of which undermine sanitation management in the capital.

He stressed that only persons and companies duly authorised by the Assembly were permitted to engage in waste collection and disposal and warned that anyone found operating outside the law would be dealt with.

Mr Ankrah said 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.