Lagos arrests 45 beggars in Oshodi, Agege, CMS crackdown

The Lagos State Government has arrested 45 suspected street beggars, including adults and minors, during separate enforcement exercises conducted in parts of the state.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed the development on Wednesday through a post on his official X account.

According to Wahab, enforcement officials apprehended 22 individuals during an operation carried out in Oshodi and Agege. Those arrested comprised adults and a number of teenagers engaged in street begging.

He added that another exercise conducted at CMS led to the arrest of 23 persons, including 14 adults and nine children.

“Earlier today, in a separate enforcement operation, our team apprehended 22 beggars at Oshodi and Agege, comprising adults and a few teenagers.

“Additionally, 14 adults and 9 children were apprehended at CMS,” Wahab stated.

The commissioner said similar enforcement and clearance operations were ongoing in other parts of the state, including Admiralty Way in Lekki and Addo Road in Ajah, as part of efforts to maintain environmental order and public safety.

The latest arrests form part of the state government’s intensified campaign against environmental infractions and other activities considered detrimental to the urban environment.

Earlier, on May 25, Wahab revealed that no fewer than 10,634 offenders had been arrested across Lagos within one year during various enforcement operations.

According to him, 5,715 individuals were apprehended for crossing highways illegally, while 3,886 others were arrested for offences ranging from street trading and environmental violations to cart-pushing activities.

He also disclosed that 102 persons were arrested for open defecation, while another 931 individuals were apprehended for various waste management-related offences across the state.