Lagos Omotaku crackdown sees 26 jailed for three months as 115 street beggars are arrested during enforcement operations

The Lagos State Government has intensified its enforcement drive with the sentencing of 26 members of the notorious Omotaku group to three months’ imprisonment and the arrest of 115 street beggars across the state, underscoring the Lagos Omotaku crackdown on public disorder.

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The development was disclosed in a statement posted on X on Monday by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.

According to the statement, the arrests were carried out during ongoing enforcement operations across multiple locations in Lagos, aimed at restoring order and ensuring the proper use of public spaces.

“A total of 115 street beggars were arrested today across various locations in the state during the ongoing enforcement operations,” the commissioner stated.

Wahab said 26 members of the Omotaku group, apprehended from different parts of Lagos within the last 24 hours, were arraigned before a Magistrate Court sitting in Oshodi as part of the Lagos Omotaku crackdown.

“In addition, 26 members of the notorious Omotaku group apprehended from different parts of Lagos within the last 24 hours were arraigned before the Magistrate Court in Oshodi,” the statement read.

He explained that the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them and were sentenced in line with existing laws.

“The defendants pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them and were sentenced to three months’ imprisonment accordingly,” Wahab said.

The commissioner noted that the action reflected the state government’s zero tolerance for activities that threaten public safety, environmental order, and the effective use of public infrastructure.

“This action reinforces the state government’s firm stance against activities that threaten public safety, order, and the effective use of public spaces,” he added.

Wahab assured residents that the Lagos Omotaku crackdown and related enforcement efforts would continue across the state to ensure compliance with the law and maintain a safe environment.

“Enforcement efforts will continue across the state to ensure compliance with existing laws and to maintain a safe and orderly environment for all Lagosians,” he said.

Meanwhile, the commissioner recalled that the state had earlier arrested 281 street urchins, also identified as Omotaku, during a week long operation across Lagos.

The operation covered areas including Lekki Phase One, Ikoyi, Lekki Ajah Expressway, Bourdillon, Animashaun Bus Stop, Akowonjo Road, Egbeda, Fadeyi Bus Stop, Costain, Funsho Williams Avenue, Victoria Island, Apongbon, Jibowu, Yaba, Lagos Island, Palmgrove, Ojuelegba Road, Surulere and other adjoining roads on both the Island and the Mainland.

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Explaining the rationale behind the sustained exercise, Wahab said the Lagos Omotaku crackdown was designed to keep roads and public spaces clear, reduce safety risks to motorists and pedestrians, and maintain environmental sanity across the state.