Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to enforce its longstanding prohibition on street begging, leading to the arrest of individuals found soliciting alms in public spaces as part of a broader drive to maintain public safety and order across the city. Recent enforcement actions reflect an ongoing commitment by state authorities to apply existing regulations that restrict begging on highways, intersections and pedestrian areas in Africa’s largest metropolis.
In a series of coordinated operations carried out by the state environmental task force and other enforcement units, at least 20 people were apprehended in early December 2025 at locations including Ketu, Mile 12, Ikosi Road and the 7UP area of Lagos State. Officials say the arrests were made after officers observed persistent begging along busy roads and in traffic, where individuals were soliciting money in ways that, authorities argue, disrupt traffic flow and jeopardise the safety of motorists and pedestrians alike.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, stated that the enforcement action is part of the government’s ongoing mop‑up exercise designed to curb environmental infractions, safeguard the public and prevent activities that threaten safety, traffic flow and sanitation. He emphasised that the operations are not isolated but form part of a continuous effort to uphold laws that govern the use of public spaces, encourage a cleaner urban environment and reduce behaviours considered detrimental to the city’s order and development.
These measures follow earlier enforcement activity in which 15 street beggars were arrested in different parts of the state, underscoring the sustained nature of the crackdown. Authorities have said that those apprehended are being handed over to relevant agencies for profiling and further necessary action, with the joint aim of ensuring compliance with state regulations and facilitating appropriate support where needed.
The operations have sparked debate across social media and public discourse, particularly after the release of a video showing a child beggar being taken into custody by enforcement officials. In response to public reaction — including criticism that children should not be arrested — Commissioner Wahab defended the government’s approach, asserting that enforcement must be guided by law, data and long‑term social responsibility rather than emotion. He noted that the state government also operates programmes to reintegrate vulnerable individuals and that profiling and rehabilitation, when appropriate, form part of broader social interventions.
Wahab highlighted that while the presence of children and vulnerable people on the streets is a matter of concern, simply allowing unchecked begging is not a sustainable solution. He pointed to Lagos State’s educational and vocational training opportunities — including tuition‑free public education and technical skills development — as channels the government promotes for long‑term empowerment and economic inclusion.
Public responses to the enforcement have varied. Some residents and commentators have supported the crackdown in the name of safety, order and the rule of law, while others have called for a stronger focus on addressing the underlying causes of street begging, such as poverty, homelessness and lack of social safety nets. Advocacy voices have argued that comprehensive social support systems, access to education and targeted economic programs are essential complements to law enforcement to ensure that vulnerable individuals, especially children, are not merely displaced but genuinely assisted.
Authorities insist that the actions taken are grounded in existing Lagos State laws that prohibit street begging and aim to protect public welfare. They have urged residents to continue reporting persistent cases and to support initiatives designed to rehabilitate, rather than simply punish, those affected by extreme poverty and social marginalisation.
The state government has also indicated that ongoing discussions about potential legislation to regulate alms begging between donors and recipients are underway in the Lagos State House of Assembly, reflecting a desire to balance enforcement with humane policy responses.
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