The Lagos State Environmental Taskforce has arrested 62 people during a midnight raid on major streets in the city, targeting those sleeping in public spaces. The operation, which took place in the early hours of Friday, May 23, 2025, was part of an ongoing effort to “sanitize” the environment, according to state officials.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, confirmed the development via his official X (formerly Twitter) account. He said the sweep began around 1:30 a.m. in the Island axis and focused on areas like Victoria Island, Falomo, the Eko Hotel axis, Osborne, and surrounding streets.
“These places had become hotspots for suspicious and unwelcomed individuals. The Taskforce arrested 62 people — 59 men and 3 women,” Wahab said.
Authorities added that all arrested individuals would face prosecution according to state environmental laws. The Taskforce assured that normalcy had been restored in all affected locations.
However, the raid has drawn widespread criticism online. Videos from the operation showing homeless people being dragged into waiting vehicles have gone viral, with many Nigerians expressing outrage over the government’s approach.
Critics argue that the action was harsh, especially considering the economic hardship and rising cost of living in the country. They said many of the arrested individuals may have ended up on the streets not out of choice, but due to poverty, displacement, or lack of support systems.
“It’s unfair to treat the homeless like criminals. These are vulnerable people who need help, not jail,” one user wrote on social media.
Others called on the government to focus more on long-term solutions such as affordable housing, job creation, and mental health support, rather than arrests and public humiliation.
While the Lagos State Government insists the raid was necessary to maintain order and public safety, rights groups and concerned citizens say it highlights the urgent need for more humane policies that address the root causes of homelessness.
Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, has seen a rise in homelessness in recent years, largely due to housing shortages, unemployment, and urban migration. The latest operation reflects ongoing tension between city beautification efforts and the realities of those living on the margins.
