VIDEO: Lagos to profile, repatriate 396 beggars arrested in sanitation sweep

The Lagos State Government has apprehended 396 beggars in a renewed crackdown on street begging, saying those arrested will be profiled, provided with necessary assistance and returned to their respective states.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a statement shared on his X page on Tuesday.

According to Wahab, operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps popularly known as the KAI Corps, arrested the beggars as part of the state’s ongoing campaign to sanitise the environment and tackle illegal activities.

He said, “A total of 396 beggars were apprehended by operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps as part of the Lagos State Government’s sustained efforts to sanitise the state and curb illegal activities.”

The commissioner added that the arrested persons would not only be profiled but also receive support where necessary before being repatriated.

“The apprehended individuals will be profiled, provided with appropriate assistance where necessary, and handed over to the relevant authorities to facilitate their safe return to their respective states,” he said.

Wahab noted that the exercise forms part of the government’s broader efforts to improve public order and environmental sanitation across the state.

He said the initiative “reflects the government’s commitment to maintaining public order, protecting the environment, and ensuring a cleaner, safer, and more secure Lagos for all.”

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Street begging is prohibited under Lagos State law. PUNCH Metro previously reported that it is also an offence to give alms to beggars on major highways.

The state government has repeatedly advised residents to channel donations through religious organisations and registered charity bodies instead of giving directly to beggars, warning that violating the directive constitutes an offence.

𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎: 𝐋𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞, 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝟑𝟗𝟔 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐩

Credit: X | Tokunbo Wahab pic.twitter.com/tdkzAbnGfn

— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) July 7, 2026