The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) Monday condemned the recent announcement by the Lagos state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, on the relocation of Nigerians labelled as ‘beggars’ from Lagos to their states of origin.
The organisation said the commissioner stated via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account that 396 persons apprehended by the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) would be profiled, offered assistance where necessary, and subsequently “handed over to the relevant authorities to facilitate their safe return to their respective states.”
CHRICED noted that the constitutional mandate of state governments is to maintain environmental sanitation, public order, and security. It noted that it opposes any policy that results in the involuntary relocation of Nigerian citizens simply because they are poor, homeless, or engaged in street begging.
The group said in a statement signed by its executive director, Comrade Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, that poverty is not a crime, nor is homelessness an offence.
“Every Nigerian is a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, irrespective of economic status. Governments at all levels must be held accountable for the structural conditions that perpetuate poverty, homelessness, begging and social exclusion,” the statement reads.
CHRICED noted that section 41(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), guarantees every Nigerian the right to move freely throughout the country and reside in any part of it, while Section 42 further prohibits discrimination based on ethnic origin, place of birth, or similar grounds.