Lagos Govt Arrests 45 Street Beggars in Crackdown on Public Nuisance

Lagos Govt Arrests 45 Street Beggars in Crackdown on Public Nuisance

The Lagos State Government has detained 45 individuals for engaging in street begging across several major districts in the state, as part of intensified enforcement efforts to tackle environmental and safety concerns in public spaces.

Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, said the arrests were made during coordinated operations on Tuesday targeting beggars in Alimosho, Agege, and Oshodi. According to the statement, teams apprehended 17 people in Alimosho, 12 in Agege, another 10 in a follow‑up action in Alimosho, and six more in Oshodi.

Wahab emphasised that the clampdown forms part of the state’s “zero tolerance” policy on street begging, which authorities describe as not only an environmental nuisance but also a threat to public order and safety. He said begging along roadsides, medians and other public areas puts both the individuals involved and road users at avoidable risk.

This latest operation follows a similar enforcement earlier in the week, when more than 50 people were also arrested for related offences. The commissioner noted that enforcement and mop‑up activities will continue across key corridors of the state to maintain orderliness and ensure public spaces remain safe and accessible.

In detailing broader efforts, Wahab revealed that additional arrests have been made in other parts of the metropolis for activities that block sidewalks and disrupt traffic, pointing to a sustained push by authorities to clear beggars from major thoroughfares and intersections.

The enforcement drive reflects the Lagos government’s ongoing campaign to address social and environmental infractions across the city, balancing public safety with broader urban management goals.