HURMA TO LAGOS ASSEMBLY: REHABILITATE THE VULNERABLE, PROSECUTE THE VIOLENT – AMEND THE STREET BEGGING BILL

The Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA Global Resource Initiative) has called on the Lagos State House of Assembly for amendment of the Street Begging Prohibition Bill that was put to public discussion and input to be renamed as “Street Nuisance, Public Safety and Rehabilitation Law”.

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HURMA submitted a memorandum to the Lagos State House of Assembly on the “Street Begging and Street Urchins (Prohibition, Prevention and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2026,” at the Public Hearing held on Tuesday, 15th September, 2026 at the Lateef Jakande Auditorium, Assembly Complex in Alausa, Ikeja.

While HURMA commends the Assembly for seeking to address public order, the body warned that a law focused only on “beggars” without addressing poverty and violent crime will fail Lagos people.

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In the memorandum as presented by the Executive Director of HURMA of the floor, Comrade Buna Olaitan Isiak presented HURMA’s position:

1. “No Criminalization of Poverty: The proposed ₦200,000 fine and 2 years jail term in Section 19 will only fill our prisons with the poor. We demand rescue, assessment, and rehabilitation instead of punishment”.
2. “Social Workers, Not Sanitation Corps: Enforcement must be led by the Ministry of Youth and Social Development with trained professionals, not by warrantless arrests”.
3. “Protect the Most Vulnerable: The law must exempt Persons with Disabilities, the elderly, mentally ill persons, and disaster victims until adequate social protection is provided”.
4. “Address the Real Threat – Area Boys: The Bill is silent on organized “Area Boys” who extort, rob at night, and deal in drugs openly. Lagos needs a law that tackles both poverty AND predatory street crime. We call for the Bill to be renamed the “Street Nuisance, Public Safety and Rehabilitation Law”

HURMA maintained that Lagos deserves order with dignity. Rehabilitation for the vulnerable. Prosecution for the violent

“We urge the House of Assembly to amend the Bill to reflect compassion, constitutionality, and comprehensive public safety”.

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