Lagos State lawmakers held a public hearing on new legislation designed to prohibit street begging and curb loitering across the metropolis. The proposed measure targets individuals operating in public spaces such as motor parks, pedestrian bridges, religious centers, and traffic intersections.
The legislation, titled the Street Begging and Street Urchins Law 2026, introduces a structured penalty framework. First-time offenders will receive a formal warning alongside a referral to a rehabilitation program. Repeat offenders face fines up to ₦200,000, non-custodial community service, or up to two years in prison upon conviction.
The bill expands state authority by granting the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps Agency power to arrest suspects without a warrant. Lawmakers maintain the bill aims to improve public safety, maintain environmental order, and prevent the organized exploitation of children.
Beyond punitive measures, the proposal directs the Ministry of Youth and Social Development to set up dedicated Rehabilitation and Welfare Centres. These state-run facilities are tasked with providing temporary shelter, vocational skills training, literacy programs, and psychological counselling for detainees.
Human rights organizations and legal experts present at the public hearing raised concerns over the expanded policing powers. Critics warned that granting warrantless arrest authority risks arbitrary detentions and harassment of low-income or unhoused residents.
Assembly representatives noted that statutory safeguards in the text prohibit physical abuse, torture, or unlawful detention by enforcement officers. The House of Assembly is currently integrating stakeholder feedback into the final draft before advancing the bill to its third reading.
