Official have begun arresting beggars and other destitute in a renewed enforcement along the Ketu-Alapere corridor of Lagos State, describing the operation as aimed at restoring order and public safety.
In a statement shared on X, the Commissioner for Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, confirmed the raid.
According to the statement, the enforcement operation is aimed at curbing the menace of street begging that has been disrupting commuting along the Ketu-Alapere corridors of the State.
The statement read: “In a groundbreaking enforcement operation aimed at curbing the menace of street begging disrupting commuting along Ketu-Alapere corridors of Lagos State, officials have begun arresting beggars and other individuals to restore order and safety in public spaces within the State.”
It added: “We have resumed enforcement operations and arrests of beggars and other individuals constituting nuisance along Ketu-Alapere and adjoining areas. The operation is part of our sustained efforts to restore order, safety, and cleanliness across public spaces in Lagos.”
“While we understand the social dimensions of street begging, the State cannot allow actions that compromise public safety or environmental order. Together, we will maintain the vision of a #CleanerLagos and a #GreaterLagos,” the statement concluded.As part of renewed efforts to curb environmental violations and enhance public safety, the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit has arrested 52 suspects — 51 males and one female — for various offences.
The Director of Public Affairs for the Lagos State Taskforce, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, also confirmed the development in a statement on Thursday.
The arrests took place during a routine enforcement and clean-up operation on Saturday, 26 April 2025.
