Lagos Arrests 226 Beggars in Fresh Crackdown on Street Nuisance
The Lagos State Government has intensified its campaign against street begging and other environmental infractions, arresting 226 beggars during a fresh enforcement operation across the state.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed the development on Thursday in a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
According to Wahab, the exercise was carried out by a joint team of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Task Force and the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to restore order and improve public safety.
“In continuation of the ongoing daily clean-up and enforcement exercise across the state, a total of 226 beggars were apprehended earlier today by a joint team comprising the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Task Force and the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps,” the commissioner stated.
He explained that the operation forms part of the state’s broader strategy to maintain environmental sanity, enhance public safety, and ensure a cleaner and more orderly Lagos.
Wahab further disclosed that the arrested individuals would undergo proper profiling and documentation before being repatriated to their respective states of origin in line with established government procedures and policies.
The latest operation is one in a series of enforcement exercises launched by the state government to tackle street begging, vagrancy, and the misuse of public infrastructure.
Earlier this month, the government arrested more than 140 individuals during similar operations conducted in areas including Oshodi, Agege, and CMS. Authorities said the exercise was aimed at reclaiming public spaces and addressing environmental and security concerns associated with street begging.
Government officials have repeatedly expressed concern over the occupation of pedestrian bridges, road medians, and other public facilities by beggars and vagrants, warning that such activities pose safety and security risks to residents.
Speaking on previous enforcement operations, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Kunle Adeshina, described the exercise as a routine measure designed to enforce environmental regulations and maintain public order.
“I’ll call it routine. It is part of our efforts to enforce discipline and maintain order in the state,” Adeshina said.
The Lagos State Government has consistently urged residents to channel charitable donations through religious institutions, registered non-governmental organisations, and humanitarian agencies rather than giving alms directly on the streets.
Officials maintain that the ongoing crackdown is intended to improve environmental sanitation, strengthen public safety, and prevent the abuse of public infrastructure. They added that while vulnerable individuals are referred to appropriate welfare institutions, adult offenders may be repatriated to their states of origin after due profiling and documentation.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the enforcement exercise as part of efforts to promote a safer, cleaner, and more organised urban environment across Lagos.