Lagos Government Arrests 45 Beggars, Including Nine Children, in Enforcement Sweep
The Lagos State Government has arrested 45 beggars, including nine children, during a series of enforcement operations carried out across major parts of the State as authorities intensify efforts to address street begging and environmental nuisance.
The arrests were made in separate operations conducted in Oshodi, Agege, and the Central Business District of Lagos Island, popularly known as CMS.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed the development in a statement shared via his official X account on Wednesday.
According to the commissioner, 22 beggars comprising adults and teenagers were apprehended during raids carried out in Oshodi and Agege. In a separate operation at CMS, enforcement officials arrested an additional 23 individuals, including 14 adults and nine children found begging on the streets.
Wahab stated that the exercise forms part of the state government’s ongoing campaign to rid public spaces of activities considered detrimental to public safety, environmental sanitation, and urban order.
“Earlier today, in a separate enforcement operation, our team apprehended 22 beggars at Oshodi and Agege, comprising adults and a few teenagers. Additionally, 14 adults and nine children were apprehended at CMS,” the commissioner stated.
He further revealed that clearance operations are continuing in other parts of the state, including Admiralty Way in Lekki and Addo Road in Ajah, where environmental enforcement teams are carrying out routine monitoring and sanitation exercises.
The Lagos State Government has repeatedly warned against street begging and the occupation of public spaces by destitute persons, maintaining that such activities contribute to traffic disruptions, insecurity concerns, and environmental degradation.
Global Mirror News reports that the latest operation is part of ongoing efforts by the State Government to enforce environmental laws and maintain order across Lagos metropolis.
