20 street beggars arrested in Lagos crackdown

Lagos Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab. Credit: X | Tokunbo Wahab

The Lagos State Government on Tuesday arrested 20 street beggars during enforcement operations at Ketu, Mile 12, Ikosi Road, and the 7UP area of the state.

PUNCH Metro learnt this from a statement by the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, shared on his X page on Tuesday.

This comes barely two weeks after 15 beggars were arrested in different parts of the state.

According to Wahab, the operation formed part of the government’s commitment to restoring order and ensuring that public spaces are used responsibly and safely.

He noted that the arrested individuals had been transferred to the relevant authorities for further action.

Wahab stated, “The Lagos State Government remains committed to restoring order and ensuring that public spaces are used responsibly and safely. I have been briefed on the latest enforcement carried out by KAI operatives around Ketu, Mile 12, Ikosi Road, and the 7UP corridor.

“The operation, which resulted in the arrest of 20 individuals engaging in street begging and related activities, is part of our ongoing mop-up exercise designed to curb environmental infractions, safeguard the public, and prevent activities that threaten safety, traffic flow, and sanitation.

“Those apprehended have been transferred to the appropriate authorities for profiling and further necessary action.”

Wahab added that the enforcement exercise would continue and urged residents to report persistent cases of street begging.

“We will continue to enforce environmental laws across the state, and I urge members of the public to support this effort by reporting locations where such activities persist. Our goal is to keep Lagos clean, orderly, and safe for everyone,” the commissioner stated.

This is not the first time the state government has apprehended street beggars in its environmental sanitation clampdown.

PUNCH Metro reported on November 14 that the state government arrested 15 street beggars during enforcement operations at Ikosi, Ketu, and Mile 12.

Wahab had stated that the operation formed part of the government’s continuous efforts to uphold public order and preserve public spaces from abuse.