In Lagos State, at least 144 persons have been detained on suspicion of street begging.

Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, revealed this on Wednesday in a post uploaded on his verified X handle.

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

Wahab said earlier on Wednesday that separate enforcement operations against street begging in Lagos' Oshodi, Agege, and CMS districts resulted in the arrest of 45 individuals, including adults and children.

He claimed that an operation in Oshodi and Agege resulted in the arrest of 22 beggars, including some minors and adults.

Another 23 individuals, including 14 adults and 9 children, were detained at CMS, he continued.

“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.

In Lagos State, street begging is prohibited. Giving alms to beggars on main thoroughfares is likewise illegal.

Source