Hundreds of people have been taken off Lagos streets. The state government says the operation targets public safety and environmental order, with the affected individuals set for profiling before further action.
LAGOS, LAGOS STATE — Lagos State Government has arrested 396 beggars during a statewide sanitation enforcement exercise aimed at improving environmental cleanliness and public order. State authorities said the affected individuals will undergo profiling before receiving assistance and being repatriated to their respective states of origin.
According to the state government, officials carried out the operation as part of ongoing efforts to address street begging and maintain a cleaner and safer environment across Lagos. Authorities said the profiling process will identify the needs and backgrounds of those arrested before any repatriation takes place. Officials added that the government plans to provide appropriate support during the process.
The government said the exercise forms part of its wider environmental sanitation strategy. According to an official statement, the affected individuals will receive necessary assistance before authorities facilitate their return to their home states. Officials maintained that the exercise complies with the state’s environmental and public order policies.
Street begging has remained a recurring concern in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, as authorities continue to balance social welfare with environmental management. Previous administrations have carried out similar operations, arguing that organised support programmes and collaboration with other state governments offer a more sustainable response than allowing people to remain on the streets.
The development means Lagos authorities will continue their profiling process before completing the planned repatriation of the affected individuals. The exercise also highlights the state’s continued focus on environmental sanitation, public safety and social intervention, while drawing attention to the broader challenge of supporting vulnerable people through coordinated welfare programmes and cooperation among state governments.
