Lagos Raids: 144 Persons Arrested for Street Begging

The Lagos State Government has arrested no fewer than 144 individuals across the state for allegedly engaging in street begging.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced the figure in a post on his verified X handle on Wednesday, stating that the arrests were recorded as of 2:00 p.m. that day.

Earlier, Wahab had disclosed that 45 people, including adults and children, were arrested during separate enforcement operations in Oshodi, Agege, and the CMS area of Lagos. According to him, 22 beggars comprising adults and a few teenagers were apprehended in Oshodi and Agege, while another 23 persons 14 adults and nine children were picked up at CMS.

Street begging is illegal in Lagos State, and residents are also prohibited from giving alms to beggars on major highways. The state government has repeatedly advised citizens to channel donations through religious bodies or charity organisations, warning that non-compliance constitutes an offence.

Speaking on the operation, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Kunle Adeshina, described the raids as routine. He explained that the exercise is part of efforts to enforce discipline, maintain order, and ensure that streets and public spaces remain safe and clean.

He noted that some individuals who occupy pedestrian bridges sometimes attack innocent citizens at night, and the same people often stay on road medians begging for money.

The enforcement relies on provisions of the Criminal Law of Lagos State relating to public nuisance and disorderly conduct, which lists persons who beg or gather alms in public places as disorderly persons. Adeshina emphasised that the raids are a continuous effort.