Env. Officers Recount How Residents Chased Verification Teams With Charms, Gun During ODF Exercises

Environmental Health Officers involved in the verification exercise of Open Defecation Free (ODF) communities in Oyo state have raised serious concerns over increasing hostility from residents during field exercises, with officers in Ona-Ara reporting incidents in which they were chased away with charms, sticks and even locally-made guns. 

The Director, Environmental Health Services, Mrs. Rashidat Popoola said resistance to sanitation inspections has grown, especially in communities where households fear being sanctioned or losing access to certain government incentives tied to ODF status.

She made this statement in Ibadan, during a meeting with State Task Group on Sanitation, STGS, on Wednesday.

She described a recent verification exercise that almost turned violent.

“We got to a particular ward in Ona-Ara and before we could start inspection, some youths emerged with charms and threatened us,” she said.

In another incident, officers were reportedly confronted by armed residents who accused them of “forcing government rules” on them.

“One man, named Olota almost fired his dane gun in the air to scare us. We ran for safety. It was traumatising, but we thank God for the intervention of the local government Chairman,” she recounted.

Popoola say hostility often stems from misinformation, fear of penalties, and deep-rooted cultural practices that make some residents suspicious of external interference in sanitation matters.

Some communities associate toilet inspections with bad luck, while others believe traditional methods of defecation should not be questioned by outsiders.

She added that continuous sensitisation by officers reduced the tension. In areas where WASH sensitisation has declined, residents interpret verification visits as enforcement operations rather than community support activities.

Speaking with OYO NEWS, Environmental Health Officers in Egbeda and Ona-Ara local government areas lament that these threats compromise their ability to carry out accurate assessments and delay the certification process.

Without safe access to all households, they say it is difficult to verify claims of ODF status or monitor compliance after certification.

“People think we are coming to expose them or deny them their certificate. They don’t see that we are only trying to improve sanitation and prevent diseases,” a senior officer explained.

Stakeholders in the sanitation sector are calling for stronger security support during verification exercises, improved community engagement, and collaboration with traditional rulers to dispel myths surrounding the ODF process.

They warn that unless officers can work safely and without intimidation, national efforts to eliminate open defecation will remain at risk, leaving communities exposed to preventable disease outbreaks.

OYONEWS