Lagos rescues 1,315 vulnerable persons and prosecutes 459 beggars in major crackdown on street begging and social disorder

The Lagos State Government has rescued 1,315 vulnerable persons across the state in a sweeping operation targeting street begging, homelessness, mental health challenges, and public disorder.

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Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, disclosed the development during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held in Lagos, marking the third year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term.

Mobolaji Ogunlende said the exercise formed part of a broader rehabilitation and reintegration programme aimed at restoring dignity to affected individuals while improving public order across Lagos.

According to him, the rescued persons included 587 beggars, 560 mentally challenged individuals, 143 destitute persons, and 25 street children removed from various public spaces and major roads.

The Lagos State Government also prosecuted 459 beggars through the Mobile Court, with offenders sentenced to community service or given an option of fine as part of efforts to deter street begging.

Mobolaji Ogunlende explained that all rescued individuals were transferred to government rehabilitation centres where they received medical care, counselling, psychosocial support, and vocational training.

He described the initiative as a transformative approach to social welfare, combining enforcement with reintegration strategies to address the root causes of vulnerability.

The Rehabilitation Training Centre currently accommodates 1,295 rehabilitees undergoing therapy and skills development, while over 1,000 others were admitted during the reporting period.

Mobolaji Ogunlende further stated that 998 rehabilitees, including foreign nationals, had been successfully reunited with their families and placed under post-rehabilitation monitoring.

He added that vocational empowerment programmes in tailoring, barbing, phone repairs, and horticulture were helping beneficiaries reintegrate into society and become economically independent.

The commissioner also highlighted intensified efforts against drug abuse through the Lagos State Kick Against Drug Abuse initiative, which works with schools, NGOs, and security agencies on public sensitisation.

Beyond adult rehabilitation, the Lagos State Government reported 1,437 child protection cases and over 5,708 interventions within the review period.

Mobolaji Ogunlende said the interventions covered abuse, trafficking, neglect, and abandonment cases handled through rescue operations, counselling, legal action, and psychosocial support.

He cited several rescue operations, including children removed from abusive homes after viral social media reports, with perpetrators arrested and prosecuted.

The commissioner reaffirmed that the Lagos State Government would continue to strengthen child protection systems and intensify legal action against offenders involved in abuse, trafficking, and exploitation.

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He stressed that the administration remains committed to safeguarding vulnerable residents while ensuring a safer and more orderly environment across the state.