Over 100 beggars arrested by Lagos State Govt in enforcement exercise

Over 100 beggars arrested by Lagos State Govt in enforcement raid

The Lagos State Government has detained 107 individuals, including beggars and suspected miscreants, during an enforcement exercise aimed at tackling street begging and maintaining order in public areas.

Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced the development in a statement on Tuesday, explaining that the arrests followed a monitoring and enforcement patrol carried out in parts of the state.

According to Wahab, the operation first targeted the Agege area, where officials apprehended several people suspected of engaging in street begging.

“During our ongoing monitoring and enforcement patrol today, 25 beggars were arrested in Agege as part of efforts to address street begging and restore order in public spaces,” the commissioner said.

He noted that the exercise continued in other locations as enforcement teams moved to Ketu to expand the operation.

“The patrol team has since moved to Ketu, and as of 1200hrs, a total of 86 beggars, nine children, and 12 miscreants have been apprehended across the areas covered,” Wahab stated.

The commissioner added that the individuals arrested during the exercise would undergo documentation and assessment before being transferred to relevant government agencies for the next stage of action.

“Those arrested will be profiled and handed over to the appropriate government agencies for further action in line with existing laws and social intervention protocols,” he explained.

Wahab also stressed that the state government remains committed to continuing similar operations across Lagos as part of its strategy to curb street begging and improve public order.

“We will continue these operations to discourage street begging, protect vulnerable persons, and maintain order across Lagos,” he added.