In a late-night operation on Friday, May 23, the Lagos State Government apprehended 62 individuals who were discovered sleeping along various streets across the city. The arrests were made by officials of the State Environmental Taskforce as part of an ongoing effort to sanitize public spaces.
Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, shared the update via his X account, stating:
“As part of the Taskforce’s continuous efforts to clear the state of unlawful occupants and potential threats, our team began an enforcement drive around 1:30 AM on Friday, May 23, 2025, targeting the Island axis.”
According to the commissioner, the enforcement covered several key locations including Victoria Island, Falomo, Eko Hotel axis, Osborne, and nearby streets, which had reportedly become hotspots for suspicious and unwelcomed individuals.
A total of 62 people were taken into custody during the operation — 59 men and 3 women. Authorities confirmed that normalcy has been restored in all affected areas. All those arrested are scheduled to be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
However, the video of the raid has sparked mixed reactions from the public. Many Nigerians expressed concern over the way the individuals were handled, arguing that some of them may have ended up on the streets due to the harsh economic realities facing the country. Critics say parading and charging them to court like common criminals is inhumane and fails to address the root causes of homelessness.
