LAGOS SWEEPS UP 396 BEGGARS IN SANITATION CRACKDOWN

The Lagos State Government has arrested 396 beggars as part of an intensified sanitation and environmental enforcement operation across the metropolis.

The exercise, carried out by the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Agency, targeted areas notorious for street begging and environmental nuisances. Officials stated that the operation aims to restore order, improve public hygiene, and reduce security risks associated with unregulated street activities.

The arrested individuals have been taken to rehabilitation centres where they will receive counselling, skill acquisition training, and support for reintegration. The state government has warned that repeat offenders will face stiffer penalties.

The move has received mixed reactions, with some residents applauding the effort to clean up the streets while others called for more humane approaches to addressing the root causes of begging, such as poverty and lack of social support.

Lagos authorities have promised to sustain the crackdown while working with relevant agencies to provide long-term solutions for vulnerable populations.