144 people arrested for begging on Lagos streets

No fewer than 144 people have been arrested in Lagos State for allegedly begging on the streets.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, shared this information on his official X account on Wednesday.

“A total of 144 beggars across Lagos State had been arrested as of 2:00 p.m. today (Wednesday),” he said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Wahab revealed that 45 people, including both adults and children, were arrested during different operations targeting street begging in Oshodi, Agege, and CMS areas of Lagos.

He said that 22 beggars, mostly adults and a few teenagers, were caught during an operation in Oshodi and Agege.

Another 23 people, made up of 14 adults and nine children, were arrested at CMS.

“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 nine children were apprehended at CMS,” Wahab stated.

PUNCH Metro reports that street begging is against the law in Lagos State. It is also illegal to give money to beggars on major highways.

In past warnings shared by The PUNCH, the state government advised residents to give their donations through religious groups or charity organizations. They warned that not following this advice could lead to legal action.

Speaking about the operation on Wednesday in an interview with PUNCH Metro, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Kunle Adeshina, said the arrests will continue.

“I’ll call it routine. It is part of our efforts to enforce discipline and maintain order in the state.

“I think it is about ensuring that our streets and public spaces remain safe and clean. Sometimes people ask why we don’t arrest beggars, but we are doing this to ensure that our overhead and pedestrian bridges are safe.

“It is all connected. Some of the people who occupy pedestrian bridges sometimes attack innocent citizens at night.

“They are the same people who stay on road medians and public spaces begging for money. So, this is a continuous effort,” he said.

PUNCH Metro reports that Lagos authorities have previously used the Criminal Law of Lagos State, which deals with public nuisance and disorderly conduct, to enforce rules against street begging.

The law clearly states that anyone who begs or collects alms in public places is considered a disorderly person.