The Lagos State government has given reasons for the arrest of some minors in its ongoing raid on street beggars and urchins along the Lekki–Ajah Expressway and in other parts of Lagos.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, had shared on X that the exercise was part of ongoing enforcement efforts "to restore order, ensure public safety, and keep our roads and public spaces clear."

However, former BBNaija reality TV star, Tacha, expressed displeasure at the action of the state government, saying the kids were on the street because the government failed them.

She wrote on X, "The first question shouldn’t be why arrest these kids? It should be 'Why are they on the streets in the first place?'

"These children are on the streets because the government failed them.. Along the Lekki–Epe Expressway alone, you’ll see hundreds of kids begging every single day.

"Some get hit by cars. Some get injured. Some don’t make it home... Shouldn’t they be in school? Instead, they’re dodging traffic to survive government failure.

"Arresting them doesn’t fix anything. It only adds FEAR to poverty. If we were serious, the Lagos State Government would be setting up proper vocational centres with boarding homes, teach them real skills, shoe making, designing, photography, videography.. i mean, give them options.

"You don’t solve poverty with force. You don’t punish people for surviving.

"If anyone deserves arrest, it’s the officials who looted public funds and left children with no choice but the streets!"

In response, Commissioner Wahab stated that emotions should not get in the way of law enforcement, adding that allowing the kids to risk their lives on the expressway is not compassion.

He also revealed that education is free in Lagos, adding that the state also has vocational skill centres where such kids can better their life.

He said, "Dear @Symply_Tacha, Thank you for your concern. Advocacy and enforcement cannot be approached with emotion or knee-jerk reactions. They must be guided by law, data, and long-term social responsibility.

"No one disputes the reality of poverty or the dangers children face on our highways. The presence of minors on major expressways like Lekki–Epe is precisely why intervention is necessary, not why enforcement should be abandoned. Leaving children to dodge speeding vehicles in the name of compassion is not empathy; it is neglect.

"To start with, Lagos State public schools are tuition free with free payment for their WAEC examination. Also, Lagos has existing free technical colleges, vocational centres, and skills-acquisition programmes across the state, many of which teach trades such as shoemaking, fashion, photography, ICT, and creative arts. Beyond government facilities, community leaders, NGOs, religious bodies, and even elected officials across the State routinely organise free training and empowerment programmes. These interventions may not be perfect, but it is inaccurate to suggest that nothing exists.

"It may interest you to know that each time these kids are apprehended, they are profiled, some are returned to their parents, who mostly are not living in Lagos, while others who are interested in learning skills are given free admission through the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development. However, the role of the government is not to parent recalcitrant children.

"Dear Tacha, beyond social media and like every other person who has partnered with the state, we would be willing to work with you and others alike to take kids like this off the street. Kindly reach out to me or the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development @Mo_ogunlende."

ASA