₦airaland Forum

62 Individuals Detained in Lagos Midnight Sweep for Sleeping on Streets

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.

Watch the video and let us know what you think in the comments.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWelasi4aNY?si=xsBEn_XNKNNiI8pl

Summary:

The Lagos State Government arrested 62 homeless individuals during a midnight raid on May 23, 2025, as part of an effort to clear the streets of suspected criminal elements.

The operation, led by the Environmental Taskforce, targeted areas like Victoria Island and Falomo. However, the action has drawn mixed reactions, with many criticizing the treatment of the homeless, saying they were victims of economic hardship and should not be paraded or prosecuted like criminals.

Clearing the streets of Lagos of criminal elements is key, but we all know those elements undeniably put sanwo in power.

I don't understand. Are they going to jail them for not being able to afford proper homes or provide homes for them?

Ehyah
Hustle go wrong

Stay in your village and develop yourself there, sleeping in the street is hazardous.

Who go bail them?? As you’ve seen they’re homeless, what’s the solution put in place to help them?? These are the things that came to my mind as I just read this…


Or UNA JUST WAN turn them to Ex-con?

Y must people live in Lagos?

People like this does or some doesn't know they have right, to dem it does not matter anymore, why will they be going to court? I don't get it., this country can frustrate person ehhn.

Rehabilitating them shouldn't be difficult...!

Those willing and ready to return to their original states and family homes can be put in Night buses with a little cash for bread.

They should go back from whence they came.

columbus007:
People like this does or some doesn't know they have right, to dem it does not matter anymore, why will they be going to court? I don't get it., this country can frustrate person ehhn.

Why don't you get them a lawyer?

Some of them will still defend their oppressors.

Very nasty govt

Some have low paying jobs on the island but the transport fare alone have taken up all their money of them who come from ikorodu to work in VI , so they petch close by.

Some workers are lucky, they sleep in the office if their office allows it , most do not allow their cleaners or drivers to sleep over .

A self contain in a normal place is going for 500k , can a driver or cleaner afford it?

This is what you get when you vote for a man that sees 200m people not as fellow citizens but as customers .

I hope and pray that obidients are not affected much .
Election have consequences.

To help them or to send them back to their villages?

59 men, 3 women

At least they will now have a place to sleep and free beans water meal... If Lagos no pay Una, make una go back to una village

59 men, 3 women

COMRADES, I think Lagos State government should provide accommodation for this teaming homeless people in that state, enough of this fake media projection of Lagos whereas it does not worth it

thesicilian:
I don't understand. Are they going to jail them for not being able to afford proper homes or provide homes for them?

Tbh, it's not by force to live in Lagos.

Melagros:
COMRADES, I think Lagos State government should provide accommodation for teaming homeless people in that state

We don't have space for that. They should return home

dederocs:
Stay in your village and develop yourself there, sleeping in the street is hazardous.

na dem dem too the shame people wey vote for baba because wasterners cant be there i can bet my ball with it

Lagos state is clueless on how to deal with this issue.
Tokunbo lawal is rounding up homeless people and charging them to court for been homeless. How is an homeless person a criminal.
Even the US and other developed countries that we hope to get to their level wouldn’t prosecute homeless people.
With this act all those beggars in Lagos should prepare to get prosecuted for begging

tollyboy5:
Tbh, it's not by force to live in Lagos.

What if they are lagosians and have no where else to go?

At least they'll now have a new home, albeit a prison.

phransix2:
In Nigeria it's a crime to be poor, reason why you see people do all sorts of evil just to make money.

Lagos state should provide them with shelter and rehabilitate them. That's the job of a sane government.

That's the responsibility of their state government not Lagos State government.
We can't use our resources for people who's governors are lavishing funds

phransix2:
What if they are lagosians and have no where else to go?

They're not lagosian. Coming to live in street don't make you a lagosian