Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Lagos State Government has arrested 396 beggars in a major enforcement operation carried out by the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), also known as the KAI Corps, as part of an ongoing campaign to improve environmental sanitation and curb illegal activities across the state. Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced the arrests on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, in a post on his official X handle, stating that those apprehended would be profiled, provided with necessary assistance where required, and handed over to the appropriate authorities for safe return to their respective states of origin.
According to Wahab, the arrests were part of the state government's sustained efforts to sanitise the state and curb illegal activities that undermine public order and environmental cleanliness. "A total of 396 beggars were apprehended by operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps as part of the Lagos State Government's sustained efforts to sanitise the state and curb illegal activities," he wrote. The commissioner noted that the apprehended individuals would not only be profiled but would also receive appropriate support before being repatriated. "The apprehended individuals will be profiled, provided with appropriate assistance where necessary, and handed over to the relevant authorities to facilitate their safe return to their respective states," Wahab said.
A video shared alongside the post showed dozens of those arrested, including elderly men and women, nursing mothers, and persons with disabilities, some of whom were seen using crutches or wheelchairs or with visibly deformed or amputated limbs. The footage, which has since circulated widely on social media, has sparked debate about the approach taken by the state government in dealing with destitution and street begging. The video showed the arrested individuals gathered after being taken into custody by officials, with many appearing vulnerable and in need of care rather than enforcement.
Street begging is prohibited under Lagos State law, and it is also an offence to give alms to beggars on major highways. The state government has repeatedly advised residents to channel donations through religious organisations and registered charity bodies instead of giving directly to beggars, warning that violating the directive constitutes an offence. Despite these laws, street begging remains a common sight across many parts of Lagos, particularly at major road intersections, traffic junctions, and commercial districts. Children, some appearing to be between the ages of three and nine, are often seen approaching pedestrians or moving from one vehicle to another, appealing to motorists and passengers for money whenever traffic slows.
The latest operation follows a pattern of similar enforcement exercises previously undertaken by the Lagos State Government to remove destitute persons and beggars from public spaces. In June 2026, the state arrested 226 beggars in a similar statewide enforcement operation. In May 2024, the state government also arrested over 140 beggars in areas including Oshodi, Agege, and CMS. In 2013, under the administration of Babatunde Fashola, the state carried out a similar exercise in which destitute persons and beggars were removed from the streets, profiled, rehabilitated where necessary, and arrangements were made for some to be reunited with their families or returned to their respective states of origin. That exercise attracted national attention after reports emerged that some of those assisted back to their home states were from Anambra, and it later became the subject of public debate.
Wahab said the latest exercise forms part of the government's broader commitment to maintaining public order, protecting the environment, and ensuring a cleaner, safer, and more secure Lagos for all. He reaffirmed that environmental enforcement operations would continue across different parts of the state as part of the government's broader strategy to preserve public infrastructure, improve sanitation standards, and create a more orderly environment. The commissioner also urged residents to support ongoing efforts by complying with environmental regulations and contributing to the collective responsibility of keeping Lagos clean and orderly.
The arrests have drawn mixed reactions from the public. While some have commended the government for taking action against street begging, which many see as a nuisance and a security concern, others have expressed concern about the treatment of vulnerable individuals, including persons with disabilities and elderly persons who may have no other means of survival. Human rights advocates have called on the government to ensure that the profiling and repatriation process is conducted with dignity and that those in need of care are provided with adequate support rather than simply being returned to their home states without addressing the root causes of their displacement.
The Lagos State Government has consistently maintained that the enforcement exercises are designed to promote orderliness and improve the overall quality of the urban environment, while also ensuring that enforcement is accompanied by appropriate welfare considerations for those affected. However, critics argue that the government has not done enough to address the underlying causes of street begging, including poverty, unemployment, and the lack of social safety nets, which drive many people to the streets in search of alms. They have called for a more comprehensive approach that combines enforcement with social welfare programmes, skills training, and employment opportunities to help vulnerable individuals reintegrate into society.
As the profiling and repatriation process begins, the 396 arrested beggars will be documented and assessed to determine their specific needs before being returned to their home states. The government has not yet disclosed how long the process will take or which states the individuals will be returned to. However, the operation sends a clear message that the Lagos State Government is determined to tackle street begging and maintain environmental sanitation, even as questions remain about the long-term effectiveness of such enforcement-driven approaches in addressing the root causes of destitution and vulnerability.
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