Lagos Jails 26 Notorious ‘Omotaku’ Hoodlums and Sweeps 115 Beggars Off the Streets in Major New Year Crackdown

The era of “street tax” and highway harassment in Lagos is facing a major roadblock. In a swift and decisive operation on Monday, the Lagos State Government successfully cleared 115 beggars from the city’s major arteries and secured a prison sentence for 26 notorious hoodlums who have long terrorized the state’s road users.

The 26 convicted men, identified as members of the feared “Omotaku” group, didn’t have much to say in their defense. Appearing before a Magistrate Court in Oshodi, the gang members pleaded guilty to charges ranging from public nuisance to the obstruction of major highways. The court wasted no time, sentencing each of them to three months behind bars to serve as a warning to others.

The “Omotaku” group has recently gained notoriety for preying on vulnerable motorists, especially those whose vehicles develop faults along busy roads like the Oshodi–Iyana Ipaja expressway. Their “modus operandi” often involved surrounding cars and demanding cash under the guise of “assistance” or through outright intimidation.

Beyond the hoodlums, the state’s enforcement team, led by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, conducted a massive mop-up of street beggars. A total of 115 individuals were taken into custody across various flashpoints in the city.

“Our goal is simple: to restore order and ensure that public spaces in Lagos are used responsibly and safely,” Wahab stated in an official update. He emphasized that the “zero-tolerance” stance is not just about aesthetics but also about security, as the presence of unauthorized persons on highways often provides cover for criminal activity.

While the “Omotaku” members head to prison, the government noted that the arrested beggars including several minors will undergo profiling. Many will be offered a second chance through vocational training and rehabilitation programs managed by the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, aimed at getting them off the streets permanently.

For Lagosians tired of navigating aggressive solicitation and “area boy” antics, this latest crackdown is a sign that the government is determined to keep the “Center of Excellence” true to its name in 2026.