The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has arrested a 32-year-old Nigerian man, Yusif Dahiru, for allegedly collecting waste and taking money from the public without permission at an illegal dumping site near UTC in Accra.

The AMA’s Head of Public Affairs, Gilbert Nii Ankrah, said in a Facebook post on Wednesday, 15 April, that the suspect was arrested at about 3:00 a.m. on Monday, 13 April after a tip-off.

He said Dahiru was collecting refuse from people at the site as though he had been assigned by the Assembly to do so, but he had no approval to operate there.

He is also accused of taking money from residents for waste disposal services, claiming he worked under a supervisor.

During questioning, Dahiru denied being an official waste collector but said he had been helping to move waste to the site in exchange for payment.

The AMA says investigations are ongoing to find out if others are involved.

It has also warned the public to use only approved waste collection services.