The Lagos State Government has defended its continuous enforcement of street begging Tacha, a reality television personality, has publicly criticised the arrest of young beggars in sections of the state.
The discussion began on Wednesday, January 7, when Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, uploaded a video of a juvenile beggar being arrested by officers from the Lagos State Environmental Task Force.
Wahab explained that the exercise was part of sustained efforts to restore order, enhance public safety and keep major roads free from obstruction the footage, which showed the visibly distressed child, triggered reactions on social media.
Responding, Tacha criticised the government’s approach, arguing that arresting children on the streets fails to tackle the underlying causes of poverty.
She maintained that the sight of children begging on highways reflects systemic governance failures and warned that enforcement actions only deepen the vulnerability of affected children.
“You don’t solve poverty with force. You don’t punish people for surviving,” she wrote, urging the government to establish vocational centres with boarding facilities where children could be trained in skills such as shoemaking, fashion, photography and videography.
In his response, Wahab said government policies must be driven by law, evidence and long-term responsibility rather than emotional reactions.
“Allowing children to run across highways and dodge speeding vehicles in the name of compassion is not empathy; it is neglect,” he stated.
The commissioner highlighted that Lagos State provides free public education, including tuition-free schooling and WAEC registration, as well as access to technical colleges and vocational centres offering training in various trades.
He further explained that children apprehended during such operations are properly documented, with some reunited with their parents, many of whom reside outside Lagos, while others who show interest in skills acquisition are enrolled at no cost through the Ministry of Youth and Social Development.
However, Wahab stressed that government intervention has its limits, noting that “the role of government is not to parent recalcitrant children.”
He also called on Tacha and other concerned individuals to move beyond online criticism and work collaboratively with the state government to address the issue in a more sustainable manner.
