The Lagos State Environmental Taskforce recently conducted a raid targeting beggars and their children in public spaces, apprehending 27 individuals, including 15 minors, for constituting public nuisance. The operation aimed to reduce street begging and ensure public safety along busy routes like Awolowo Way, Ikoyi, and Lekki Road.
The Lagos State Environmental Taskforce has intensified efforts to address public nuisance in the metropolis by raiding major routes to apprehend street beggars and their children. On Tuesday, November 17, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced the operation targeted areas such as Awolowo Way, Falomo Roundabout, Ikoyi, and Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, along Lekki Road.
The raid aimed to curb the activities of destitute individuals and miscreants who engage in street begging, particularly during traffic hold-ups, causing public inconvenience. A total of 27 people, including 15 minors, were apprehended during the exercise.
Wahab emphasized that the government is committed to enforcing laws that address public order and safety, ensuring that such individuals are transferred to appropriate facilities for care and rehabilitation. He reiterated that the operation aligns with Lagos State’s broader efforts to maintain environmental cleanliness and orderliness in busy areas.
This latest raid has sparked conversations on social media, with some Lagosians supporting the government’s initiative to create a safer environment, while others have expressed concerns about the welfare of the children involved.
Authorities have assured that the minors will receive the necessary attention at designated government facilities. This operation forms part of a broader strategy to ensure that Lagos remains clean, safe, and orderly for residents and visitors alike.
A video of the arrests has since surfaced online, drawing mixed reactions from the public about the ethical and practical implications of the crackdown.