Lagos moves against street begging, nabs 226

The Lagos State Government has arrested 226 beggars in a renewed crackdown on street begging and other public nuisances across the state.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a post on his official X account on Thursday.

According to him, the arrests were made during a joint operation carried out by the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Task Force and the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps.

Wahab said the exercise forms part of the state government’s ongoing efforts to improve environmental sanitation, maintain public order and enhance safety across Lagos.

“In continuation of the ongoing daily clean-up and enforcement exercise across the state, a total of 226 beggars were apprehended earlier today,” he stated.

The commissioner added that the arrested individuals would undergo profiling and documentation before being repatriated to their respective states of origin in line with government procedures and policies.

The latest arrests come weeks after more than 140 people were apprehended during similar operations in Oshodi, Agege and CMS as part of the state’s campaign against street begging and environmental infractions.

Lagos authorities have consistently raised concerns over the occupation of pedestrian bridges and other public infrastructure by beggars and vagrants, warning that such activities pose safety and security risks.

The government has also urged residents to channel charitable donations through religious bodies and registered humanitarian organisations rather than giving alms directly on the streets.

Officials maintain that the ongoing enforcement exercises are aimed at promoting a cleaner, safer and more orderly Lagos while ensuring vulnerable persons receive appropriate support through relevant welfare institutions.