Reactions Trail Lagos Crackdown on Street Beggars

Reactions have continued to trail the Lagos State Government’s crackdown on street begging following the arrest of 62 people, including 33 children reportedly being exploited for begging in the Ajah and Lekki areas of the state.

The operation, announced by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has renewed debate over whether enforcement alone can address street begging without tackling the poverty, family challenges and alleged exploitation that expose children to life on the streets.

Wahab said the 62 apprehended persons comprised 29 alleged street beggars and 33 children reportedly being exploited for the activity. He added that they had been transferred to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.

However, the announcement did not clarify where the children were taken, whether their parents or guardians had been traced, or whether they had undergone welfare assessments to determine their individual circumstances.

The development has revived earlier criticism of the state’s approach to street children. In January 2026, Nigerian chess champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya, questioned the arrest of street children during an earlier enforcement operation, arguing that poverty, inadequate access to education and family difficulties must be considered in addressing the problem.

Reality television personality Anita ‘Tacha’ Akide also questioned the rationale for arresting children without sufficiently addressing the reasons behind their presence on the streets.

The reactions, reported during the January controversy, underscore a broader debate over how authorities can balance public order with the protection of vulnerable children.

Wahab had defended the government’s enforcement approach during the earlier controversy, citing road safety concerns and the availability of public education, technical colleges and vocational training opportunities.

He also referred to the possibility of profiling apprehended children, reuniting them with their families where appropriate, or referring them to relevant government agencies for rehabilitation and skills acquisition.

It remains unclear whether these measures have been implemented in the latest case involving the 33 children.

The crackdown also comes amid legislative efforts to strengthen Lagos State’s response to street begging and activities associated with street urchins.

A proposed Street Begging and Street Urchins (Prohibition, Prevention and Rehabilitation) Law of Lagos State 2026 has generated debate over enforcement, penalties and the provision of rehabilitation services.

Reports on the proposed legislation indicate that it envisages measures to address street begging while providing for rehabilitation, temporary accommodation, basic education, counselling and vocational training. The proposal also seeks to address the alleged involvement of adults who procure or compel children to beg.

However, the proposed law should not be confused with an enacted statute, and its current legislative status requires confirmation.

Beyond the immediate arrests, the circumstances of the children remain a central concern. Authorities need to establish whether they were begging independently, acting under pressure from parents or other adults, or experiencing neglect, trafficking or other forms of abuse.

These possibilities require proper investigation and should not be treated as established facts.

Where exploitation is established, those responsible should be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law. Children affected by poverty, neglect or family breakdown, meanwhile, require appropriate protection and access to education and social support.

The Lagos State Government is therefore expected to clarify the agencies handling the children, the welfare procedures being followed and the measures intended to prevent them from returning to the streets.

Ultimately, the effectiveness of the operation should not be judged solely by the number of people arrested or the streets cleared, but by whether vulnerable children receive lasting protection, access to education and a genuine opportunity for a more secure future.

Recall that earlier this week, a Lagos State operation against street begging has brought renewed attention to the plight of children reportedly being exploited on the streets.

The state government said 62 people were apprehended during an enforcement exercise in the Ajah and Lekki areas. The group comprised 29 alleged street beggars and 33 children reportedly being exploited for street begging.

Commissioner for Housing Tokunbo Wahab disclosed the arrests, adding that those apprehended had been transferred to the appropriate authorities.

However, the announcement did not clarify whether the children had been reunited with their families, placed in protective care or screened to determine whether they had suffered abuse or exploitation.

The case raises a critical question: what happens to vulnerable children after they are removed from the streets?

While authorities have a responsibility to maintain public order and protect children from exploitation, enforcement alone cannot resolve the circumstances that leave children begging.

A comprehensive response should identify those allegedly exploiting the children, investigate their family and welfare circumstances, and provide appropriate protection and support.

For the children involved, the real measure of success will be whether the intervention offers lasting safety and a better chance at education and a stable childhood.