In a renewed effort to maintain public order and ensure the safety of Lagos residents, the Lagos State Task Force has arrested 115 street beggars across various locations in the state. The operation is part of an intensified crackdown aimed at removing criminal elements and street urchins, known locally as Omotaku, from public spaces.
The move was confirmed by Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, in a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday. Wahab revealed that, in the last 24 hours, 26 suspected members of the Omotaku group had been apprehended across multiple locations and were subsequently charged before a Magistrate’s Court sitting in Oshodi. The defendants reportedly admitted to their offenses and were handed three-month jail terms, in line with existing laws.
The Commissioner emphasized that the operation aligns with the state government’s firm stance against activities that undermine public safety, disrupt order, and misuse public infrastructure. Wahab added that this enforcement exercise would continue across Lagos to ensure strict compliance with environmental and public order regulations, helping to maintain a clean, safe, and orderly city.
This operation is part of Lagos’ broader strategy to tackle street begging and improve public spaces, which have long been a source of concern for both residents and authorities.
