The Lagos State Government has defended the actions of officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) against Nollywood actress Sarah Martins, describing the enforcement as a lawful step against unauthorised activities on public infrastructure.
As earlier reported by eelive.ng, the actress, in an emotional post shared on Thursday, October 16th, narrated how she was harassed and had her belongings confiscated while cooking free meals for the vulnerable and homeless.
She wrote: “My heart aches. “Today, as I was cooking free food for the vulnerable and homeless people on the streets of Lagos like I always do, some uniform men came there, harassed me, bullied me and took away the food I was cooking, took away my cooking gas and everything I was making free food with.”
According to Martins, her only “offense” was trying to show love and compassion through her charitable gesture.
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Speaking, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle explained that actress was apprehended for engaging in unauthorised activities on a road median in Lekki, noting that her actions contravened environmental and sanitation regulations.
“Our enforcement actions, including the arrest and removal of equipment in this case, are part of the #KeepLagosClean and #ZeroToleranceLagos campaigns aimed at preserving the city’s aesthetic and functional integrity,” Wahab said.
He added that while the state government recognises and appreciates philanthropic gestures, such activities must adhere to established laws to ensure public safety and maintain order.
“The individual in question claimed to be conducting charitable cooking activities on the road median, which unfortunately contravened existing environmental and sanitation regulations,” the commissioner stated.
“While the Lagos State Government deeply appreciates the spirit of philanthropy and community support demonstrated by many residents, such initiatives must be carried out in compliance with the state’s extant laws to ensure public safety, environmental protection, and urban order,” he added.
