Lagos tightens grip as Assembly backs state police, targets street beggars

Lagos State is moving towards a tougher security framework as the State House of Assembly renewed its push for state police and advanced a bill seeking to ban street begging and related activities across the state.

The two measures dominated Wednesday’s plenary, with lawmakers arguing that Lagos needs stronger local security control and tighter regulation of public spaces to tackle rising criminal activities.

Speaker of the Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, described state police as Nigeria’s most practical answer to insecurity, saying states must be given the power to recruit, manage and deploy officers who understand local security challenges.

According to Obasa, kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes cannot be effectively tackled without allowing states greater control over policing.

He backed the proposal for governors to appoint state commissioners of police, subject to confirmation by state assemblies, while insisting that senior police appointments should also face legislative scrutiny.

Obasa dismissed concerns that state police could be abused by governors for political purposes, arguing that similar fears had existed around the federal police system.

“We must not allow such fears to weaken a reform whose primary objective is the protection of lives and property,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Assembly advanced a bill seeking to prohibit street begging, street urchins and related activities in Lagos.

The proposed law, which passed second reading, aims to address what lawmakers described as the growing exploitation of vulnerable people and the use of begging as a cover for criminal activities.

Lawmakers said some criminals disguise themselves as beggars to commit theft, robbery and other offences, especially around traffic corridors and public spaces.

However, lawmaker Desmond Elliot warned that the legislation must not criminalise poverty, urging the government to provide rehabilitation centres and support systems for those removed from the streets.

“We must give this legislation a human face. There should be rehabilitation centres where those taken off the streets can receive care, support and opportunities for reform,” Elliot said.

Obasa insisted the proposed law was not aimed at stopping charity but at organising how assistance reaches vulnerable people.

He argued that indiscriminate street giving encourages organised begging and called for government-approved channels where donations can be directed.

“If there is no giver, there will be no beggar,” the Speaker said.

The bill has now been referred to the Assembly’s Committee on Youth and Social Development, which has been given two weeks to submit its report before further legislative action.